put forward a proposal

Meaning

This formal expression means to suggest an idea, plan, or recommendation for consideration, discussion, or decision-making. It is commonly used in board meetings, academic settings, and formal business negotiations.

Examples

• The marketing team plans to put forward a proposal for the new advertising campaign next week.

  The marketing team plans to put forward a proposal for the new advertising campaign next week.

• She put forward a proposal to restructure the department to improve efficiency.

  She put forward a proposal to restructure the department to improve efficiency.

• We are inviting all stakeholders to put forward a proposal for the community project.

  We are inviting all stakeholders to put forward a proposal for the community project.

• During the meeting, the financial director put forward a proposal to cut unnecessary costs.

  During the meeting, the financial director put forward a proposal to cut unnecessary costs.

• It is challenging to put forward a proposal when the project budget is so tight.

  It is challenging to put forward a proposal when the project budget is so tight.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He put forward to a proposal during the executive meeting.

  ✓ He put forward a proposal during the executive meeting.

  'Put forward' is a transitive phrasal verb that takes a direct object immediately. Do not insert the preposition 'to' before the object.

• ✗ We need to propose forward a new plan.

  ✓ We need to put forward a new plan.

  'Propose' is a single verb and does not pair with 'forward'. Use either 'propose a plan' or the phrasal verb 'put forward a plan'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The research department is ready to ___ for the new funding cycle.

  💡 formally suggest a plan

  Show answer

  put forward a proposal

• If you have a solution, you should ___ at the next board meeting.

  💡 formally present a recommendation

  Show answer

  put forward a proposal