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put forward meaning and examples

2025-09-28

Meaning

  • Put forward means to suggest an idea, plan, or opinion for consideration, or to propose someone for a role or position.
  • It can also mean to move something to an earlier time (e.g., "put forward a meeting").

Grammar and Usage

  • Verb type: Phrasal verb (transitive).

  • Structure:

    • put forward + noun (idea/proposal/plan)
    • put sb forward for + position
    • put forward + time (meeting/date)

Examples of usage patterns:

  • "put forward an idea"
  • "put forward a proposal"
  • "put someone forward for promotion"
  • "put the meeting forward to Tuesday"

Common Phrases

  • put forward a suggestion
  • put forward a plan/proposal
  • put forward a candidate
  • put forward an argument
  • put forward a meeting

Collocations

  • Nouns: idea, suggestion, proposal, plan, view, candidate, argument
  • Verbs: be put forward, have been put forward, strongly put forward

Examples

  1. She put forward a new idea during the meeting.
  2. Several proposals were put forward by the committee.
  3. He was put forward as a candidate for the new role.
  4. The company put forward a plan to reduce costs.
  5. Our manager put forward an argument against the policy.
  6. The exam was put forward by one week.
  7. They put forward several reasons for the delay.
  8. John was put forward for a leadership award.
  • propose
  • suggest
  • recommend
  • advance
  • nominate

Antonym

  • withdraw
  • hold back
  • oppose