to formulate a proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

"to formulate a proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe the process of developing a specific plan of action. For example, "The team decided to work together to formulate a proposal for a new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But two hours earlier Hicks and Melvin met to formulate a proposal.

The New York Times - Sports

The prime minister heard them and is to formulate a proposal that he will present it to the cabinet".

The New York Times

The letter added that Glenview was evaluating whether to formulate a proposal to make changes "to all or a portion" of the company's board.

The New York Times

Mr. Alawi was one of the five former opposition leaders who met privately in northern Iraq last week to formulate a proposal that would call for American troops to return gradually to their bases in Iraq and turn over the day-to-day policing of the country to a national Iraqi security force under the Ministry of Interior.

The New York Times

"If all you are going to do is kill the bad guys, then you don't need a lot of Pashto speakers," said Larry Goodson of the Department of National Security and Strategy at the National War College, who was a member of the team assembled by CENTCOM commander Gen. David Petraeus to formulate a proposal for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Justice Department officials are locked in private deliberations over the federal government's remedy proposal, and there have been no formal meetings between state and federal officials to formulate a common proposal.

The New York Times

It is also possible for researchers to formulate a project proposal and then contact a host institution where they would like to carry out the project.

Science Magazine

"We have today entered into positive discussions with Bristol City Council to formulate a joint proposal that could be submitted to the administrator for an early resolution".

BBC

The newspaper said the Americans had identified too many disparities on almost every issue to formulate a workable overall proposal.

The New York Times

In a future class, each group will reconvene and share their position papers and together formulate a proposal for a "Stop All Violence" campaign to present to their populations or constituents.

The New York Times

"You are showing you can formulate a proposal for a valuable resource in competition with other people who want it, and convince the allocation committee to give you an award over other proposers," he describes.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "to formulate a proposal" with strong action verbs to clarify the purpose and impact of the proposal. For example, instead of simply stating "to formulate a proposal", consider "to formulate a proposal aimed at improving efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "to formulate a proposal" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler, more direct phrases like "to suggest an idea" or "to create a plan" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to formulate a proposal" functions as an infinitive phrase that indicates purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind an action, such as meeting, planning, or discussing. As Ludwig AI points out, this describes the development of a specific plan of action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to formulate a proposal" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of developing a structured plan or suggestion. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, it is best suited for formal contexts like business, academia, and government, and is less common in casual settings. Alternatives like "to develop a plan" or "to draft a recommendation" can be used to reduce the formality. Its primary function is to express intention, and its usage patterns reflect its prevalence in news, science, and formal business contexts. Common mistakes include overusing this phrase in informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to develop a plan

Focuses on the development aspect of the plan rather than the formal articulation of it.

to create a suggestion

Emphasizes the act of suggesting an idea, often less formal than a proposal.

to devise a scheme

Implies a more strategic or potentially intricate plan.

to draft a recommendation

Suggests a formal suggestion, often for improvement or action.

to craft a strategy

Highlights the skillful creation of a strategic approach.

to put together a proposition

Focuses on the act of assembling the components of a proposal.

to come up with an idea

Describes the initial generation of an idea or concept.

to construct an outline

Emphasizes the structuring of a plan in a skeletal form.

to prepare a submission

Highlights the act of readying something for formal presentation.

to assemble a project

Focuses on bringing together all necessary elements to carry out a certain plan.

FAQs

How can I use "to formulate a proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "to formulate a proposal" to describe the process of developing a plan. For example, "The committee met to formulate a proposal for the new project."

What are some alternatives to "to formulate a proposal"?

You can use alternatives like "to develop a plan", "to create a suggestion", or "to draft a recommendation" depending on the context.

Is "to formulate a proposal" appropriate for informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "to formulate a proposal" is more suited for formal contexts. In informal settings, consider using simpler phrases like /s/to+suggest+an+idea or /s/to+make+a+suggestion.

What's the difference between "to formulate a proposal" and "to suggest an idea"?

"To formulate a proposal" implies a more structured and formal process of creating a plan, whereas "to suggest an idea" is a more casual and less structured way of offering a suggestion.