Sign In Get Started
Prepositions before nouns

Should you use “for proposal” or “of proposal”?

English usually uses “proposal for” or “proposal to.” “Of proposal” appears mainly when another noun comes before it.

Quick answer

Natural combinations with “proposal”

Use “proposal for” to describe a plan or intended action. “Proposal to” is common before a verb. “Of proposal” is uncommon as a standalone phrase but can appear after another noun.

proposal for tax reform
proposal to expand the airport
The details of the proposal were discussed.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
proposal for + noun

Introducing a plan or idea

Use “for” before the subject or goal of the proposal.

proposal for new housing
proposal for a merger
2
proposal to + verb

Describing an intended action

Use “to” before an infinitive verb.

proposal to reduce costs
3
details of the proposal

Referring to parts or features

“Of the proposal” commonly follows another noun.

We reviewed the details of the proposal.
4
request for proposals

Business and formal use

This fixed business expression asks companies to submit plans or bids.

request for proposals

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
for proposal
The phrase “for proposal” alone is uncommon.
nonstandard as a standalone pattern; usually “proposal for” is intended
of proposal
The wording “of proposal” is incomplete by itself.
used naturally only after another noun, such as “details of the proposal”
proposal for
They submitted a proposal for a new bridge.
standard pattern introducing a topic or goal
proposal to
The committee approved a proposal to expand the school.
standard before an infinitive verb

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Reversing the word order

English uses “proposal for,” not “for proposal,” in most cases.

✕ They wrote a for proposal document. ✓ They wrote a proposal for the project.

Using “of proposal” without context

This phrase usually needs another noun before it.

✕ We discussed of proposal. ✓ We discussed the proposal.

Using “proposal for” before a verb

Use “proposal to” before an infinitive.

✕ a proposal for reduce costs ✓ a proposal to reduce costs

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They presented a proposal ___ new safety rules.
2. The board approved a proposal ___ hire more staff.
3. We examined the details ___ the proposal.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is “proposal for” correct?

Yes. It is the standard pattern before a noun or topic.

When do we use “proposal to”?

Use it before an infinitive verb, such as “proposal to change the law.”

Can “of proposal” stand alone?

Usually no. It normally follows another noun, such as “summary of the proposal.”

for, admission, of, admission "for adoption", "of adoption" or "to adoption"? "for answer" or "of answer"? "for approval" or "of approval"? for, at, after, to or before lunch? "for breakfast" or "after breakfast"? "for collection" or "of collection"? "for dad" or "with dad"? for, during, in, of or with period? "for enforcement" or "of enforcement"? "for examination" or "of examination"? "for generation" or "of generation"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account