/ prəˈpəʊz; NAmE -ˈpoʊz/ verb
SUGGEST PLAN
1.
( formal ) to suggest a plan, an idea, etc. for people to think about and decide on :
[ vn ]
The government proposed changes to the voting system.
What would you propose?
[ v that ]
She proposed that the book be banned.
( BrE also)
She proposed that the book should be banned.
[ vn that ]
It was proposed that the president be elected for a period of two years.
[ v -ing ]
He proposed changing the name of the company.
[ vn to inf ]
It was proposed to pay the money from public funds.
HELP NOTE : This pattern is only used in the passive.
INTEND
2.
to intend to do sth :
[ v to inf ]
What do you propose to do now?
[ v -ing ]
How do you propose getting home?
MARRIAGE
3.
propose (sth) (to sb) to ask sb to marry you :
[ v ]
He was afraid that if he proposed she might refuse.
She proposed to me!
[ vn ]
to propose marriage
AT FORMAL MEETING
4.
[ vn ] propose sth | propose sb (for / as sth) to suggest sth at a formal meeting and ask people to vote on it :
I propose Tom Ellis for chairman.
to propose a motion (= to be the main speaker in support of an idea at a formal debate)
—compare oppose , second
SUGGEST EXPLANATION
5.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to suggest an explanation of sth for people to consider
SYN propound :
She proposed a possible solution to the mystery.
•
IDIOMS
- propose a toast (to sb) | propose sb's health
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French proposer , from Latin proponere set forth (from pro- forward + ponere put), but influenced by Latin propositus put or set forth and Old French poser to place.