Thursday, March 7, 2019

word choice - "Ideas on" vs. "ideas for"



I'd like to know when to use "ideas on" and "ideas for". I think these are correct:





  • I'd like some ideas on how to improve my team.

  • I'd like some ideas for improving my team.


  • I have some ideas on that subject.




This feels less correct to me:




I'd like some ideas for how to improve my team.





This feels plain wrong:




I have some ideas for that subject.




However, I don't know why. Which phrase should I use, and when?



Edit: I'm specifically interested in the grammar breakdown — is that last one wrong because it's a noun? What about "how" — how does this change it? What are the rules?


Answer




Cambridge Dictionary Online suggests these proposition for "idea":




If you have any ideas for what I could buy Jack, let me know.



That's when I first had the idea of start ing (= planned to start) my own business.




And about your example:





I'd like some ideas for how to improve my team.




sounds odd and wrong.
After "for" a ing-clause is used and after "on" a relative-clause.




Ideas on what to eat to night




Ideas on how to learn



Ideas on where to go




And




Ideas for eating




Ideas for living



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