which proposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which proposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a suggestion, idea, or recommendation in a sentence. Example: "The report outlines a new strategy which proposes a more efficient use of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

President Obama is taking heat from all sides this week for his 2012 budget proposal, which proposes increased funding for immigration enforcement and border militarization.

Huffington Post

The proposals are contained in a paper which proposes far-reaching reform of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

The Guardian

The debate over the bill, which proposes price increases on cigarettes, is ludicrous.

The New York Times

Congress is currently considering a bill which proposes simplifying environmental licensing, and even removing it for some activities, like agriculture.

The Guardian

This totally contradicts the red book of the Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela, which proposes socialism through participatory democracy.

The New Yorker

Mr. Dreyfuss is also director of the Greater Los Angeles Plan, which proposes to erect a war-memorial opera house.

The New Yorker

"It is the ballot and not the bullet which proposes the way to change and leads to a better life".

The New York Times

A bill is currently passing through parliament which proposes such a cap, and we urge all MPs to support it.

The Guardian - Opinion

His party, which proposes a new federalist constitution for Spain, is heading for its worst result at these elections.

The Guardian

On Wednesday, unabashed dudeness got its own trilogy: "I'm Still a Guy," which proposes that he's genetically disposed to like fishing; "Catch All the Fish," which proposes that he voluntarily enjoys fishing; and "I'm Gonna Miss Her," which proposes that fishing supersedes romance.

The New York Times - Arts

Less familiar is the title, "The Flaming Passion of Beverly Torrid," which proposes a decidedly ovular reading for the picture.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which proposes", ensure that the "which" clause is nonrestrictive, meaning it provides additional but non-essential information. Use commas to set off the clause.

Common error

Avoid using "that proposes" in nonrestrictive clauses. "Which" is the correct relative pronoun for introducing additional, non-essential information, while "that" is used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which proposes" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause. This clause adds extra, non-essential information about the noun it modifies, typically a plan, idea, or document. It introduces a suggestion or recommendation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which proposes" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction, as indicated by Ludwig. It functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, introducing a suggestion, plan, or recommendation. While its register varies from neutral to formal, it's particularly common in News & Media, Science and Academia contexts. When using the phrase, remember that 'which' should introduce nonrestrictive clauses set off by commas, while 'that' is more suitable for restrictive clauses. You can replace it with alternatives such as "which suggests" or "that puts forward" to adjust the tone or emphasis. Overall, understanding its function and context ensures its effective use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that suggests

Replaces "which" with "that" and "proposes" with "suggests", altering the sentence structure slightly while maintaining the core meaning.

which suggests

Substitutes "proposes" with "suggests", offering a synonym with a slightly less formal tone.

that puts forward

Replaces "which proposes" with "that puts forward", changing the verb to a phrasal verb.

which puts forward

Changes "proposes" to the phrasal verb "puts forward", adding a bit more emphasis on the act of presenting an idea.

that recommends

Uses "recommends" in place of "proposes", indicating a suggestion with a degree of endorsement.

which recommends

Replaces "proposes" with "recommends", implying a stronger endorsement of the idea being presented.

that offers

Swaps "proposes" for "offers", presenting the idea as a potential solution or option.

which offers

Substitutes "proposes" with "offers", framing the idea as a potential solution or possibility.

that outlines

Replaces "proposes" with "outlines", focusing on the structured presentation of the idea.

which details

Changes "proposes" to "details", emphasizing the descriptive aspect of the idea being introduced.

FAQs

How do I use "which proposes" in a sentence?

Use "which proposes" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that suggests an idea or plan. For example, "The new policy, "which proposes" several changes, will be implemented next month."

What can I say instead of "which proposes"?

You can use alternatives like "which suggests", "which recommends", or "that puts forward" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that proposes" instead of "which proposes"?

While "that" can introduce relative clauses, "which" is generally preferred for nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information. Therefore, ""which proposes"" is typically the more grammatically appropriate choice in such cases.

What's the difference between "which proposes" and "which suggests"?

Both ""which proposes"" and "which suggests" introduce ideas, but "proposes" implies a more formal presentation or plan, while "suggests" is more general. The choice depends on the formality and specificity of the idea being introduced.