whose idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking whose idea something is or when talking about something's origin. For example: "Whose idea was it to go on vacation next month?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

So whose idea was it to improvise?

The New York Times

And whose idea of beauty?

The New York Times - Books

But whose idea was it?

The New York Times

Who's responsible - whose idea was this?

The Guardian

So whose idea was the $160?

The New York Times

'So whose idea was this?' Dad said.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

What happens to the many Googlers whose ideas are rejected?

The Economist

Here is the excellent Scartazzini, whose ideas people steal.

The New Yorker

Meet 35 people whose ideas will shape the future.

MIT Technology Review

The First Amendment protects not only those whose ideas Americans like but, more important, those whose ideas they abhor.

The New York Times

"We don't know whose ideas are whose," Ms. Abramovic said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whose idea" when you want to know who originated a specific plan, concept, or suggestion. It is grammatically correct and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "who's idea" when you mean "whose idea". "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has", while "whose" is the possessive form of "who".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose idea" primarily functions as an interrogative determiner phrase used to inquire about the originator of a particular thought, plan, or suggestion. It aims to identify the person or entity responsible for a specific concept, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose idea" is a grammatically sound and commonly used interrogative phrase to inquire about the originator of a particular thought, plan, or suggestion. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts, although its usage is relatively uncommon. It's important to use "whose" correctly, avoiding confusion with the contraction "who's". The phrase is versatile, finding its place in news, academic discussions, and even informal conversations. When seeking alternatives, options like "who suggested it" or "who came up with it" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whose suggestion was it

Rephrases the question to focus on the suggestion itself.

who suggested it

Focuses on the act of suggesting rather than the abstract concept of an idea.

who came up with it

Emphasizes the act of creation or invention of the idea.

who thought of it

A more informal way of asking about the origin of the idea.

who originated it

Highlights the origin or starting point of the idea.

who proposed it

Highlights the act of putting the idea forward for consideration.

who conceived it

Implies a more thoughtful or creative process of developing the idea.

who devised it

Suggests a more planned or structured approach to creating the idea.

who pioneered it

Highlights the innovative or groundbreaking aspect of the idea.

where did the idea come from

Shifts the focus from the person to the source or origin of the idea.

FAQs

How do I use "whose idea" in a sentence?

The phrase "whose idea" is used to ask about the origin of a thought, plan, or suggestion. For example, "Whose idea was it to order pizza for dinner?"

Is it correct to say "who's idea" instead of "whose idea"?

No, "who's idea" is grammatically incorrect. "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has", while "whose" indicates possession. The correct phrase is "whose idea".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "whose idea"?

You can use alternatives like "who suggested it", "who came up with it", or "who originated it" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "whose idea" and "whose suggestion"?

"Whose idea" refers to the origin of a general concept or plan, while "whose suggestion" specifically refers to a proposed action or recommendation. They are largely interchangeable but suggestion is generally more actionable, while the idea is more abstract.