2024-12-24 Verbs to use with ‘idea’ – English In A Minute

Introduction

An idea can be a thought or suggestion. There are some words that we often use together. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun ‘idea’ with Neil in this video.

Common collocations with ‘idea’

have an idea
If you have an idea, you are inspired and then have a thought or suggestion.

• Jo had a good idea for the book title. She said Mists of the Moon. What do you think?

have no idea
If you have no idea, then you don’t know or can’t think of something. 

• I have no idea what time the meeting is. Do you know?

an idea pops into your head
If an idea pops into your head, you suddenly have an idea.

• Oo! An idea just popped into my head. Why don’t we go for a drink today? It’s so sunny.

dream up an idea
If you have a silly or unusual idea, we can say you dream up an idea.

• Your imagination is incredible. I could never have dreamed up an idea like that!

put forward an idea
If you put forward an idea, you suggest something. This is often used in formal contexts like work. 

• Susie will put forward her idea for the campaign this afternoon.

TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Neil

Do you have any idea how many verbs you can use with ‘idea’? There are a lot!

You can have an idea, which we often say when we’re suddenly inspired. Or you can have no idea, which means you don’t know.

What time does the show start? I have no idea.
I have an idea. Let’s call and ask.

If an idea pops into your head, you suddenly have an idea.

Oo, an idea just popped into my head. We could go to that Chinese restaurant before the show.

If you dream up an idea, you have a silly or unusual idea.

Trust you to dream up an idea like that. We’re vegetarian – we don’t eat chicken!

You can put forward an idea, which means suggest an idea. This is often used in a more formal context, like work.

I’d like to put forward an idea, if I may. We could hire a freelancer for the graphics.

Can you dream up or put forward an idea of what word we can look at next time?