Idea about Vs. idea for

Question

Hello,These two sentences are self-made. Suppose that some clerks are worried about the air pollution and talking about it with their manager. Accordingly I decided to make up two sentences with different constructions. But I don't know the difference.What's the difference between [idea about] and [idea for]? It's hard to me to detect the difference.Is there a difference in these two sentences' meaning? What's that difference? I mean if I ask you question # 1 an # 2, how would you answer me? Would you please be kind enough to clarify their difference to me?1. Sir, what's your idea about the high increase in air pollution?2. Sir, what's your idea for the high increase in air pollution?Many thanks.

Wilpeter · Accepted Answer

An "idea" seldom stands alone; so you might instead ask, "Sir, what are your ideas about the high increase..."
If, instead, you are seeking a solution from someone politically capable of fixing the problem, you might instead ask, "Sir, what do you recommend we do about the high increase..."
Were you to use #2. approach, you would need a word to follow "idea for" such as "solving" or "preventing".

AlpheccaStars · Answer

About = concerning the topic. Usually idea is plural, because there are many possibilities.
1. Sir, what are your ideas about why we have such high air pollution?

For = to resolve or fix or solve a problem; followed by a gerund:
2. Sir, what are your ideas for reducing air pollution?

You can also use the infinitive with the same meaning:
2. Sir, what are your ideas to reduce air pollution?

When you have one idea:

That is the best idea I've heard for reducing air pollution.

Sb70012 · Answer

Thank you everybody.
Let's suppose that you are the manager. If I ask these two of you how will you answer?

1. Sir, what are your ideas about why we have such high air pollution?
2. Sir, what are your ideas for reducing air pollution?

Would you please be kind enough to give two short answers for my above questions? I want to compare the answers
and detect the exact difference while answering. You can say anything you like in your answers.
I just want to know how should we answer when a person has asked us a question with [ideas about] and [ideas for].

Would you please be kind enough to give me two simple answers for the above questions?

If you do this favor, I will completely understand the difference in answering to them.

Many thanks in advance.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

sb700121. Sir, what are your ideas about why we have such high air pollution?

I think there are several factors. First, the equipment in our factories and power generation plants is old and is not outfitted with pollution control devices. Second, we buy the cheapest coal for fuel. It does not burn efficiently, and so we release tons of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide an carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every week. Third, the air is stagnant over the city, and we have accumulations of smog. Also people burn a lot of charcoal for heat and do not have pollution control devices on their cars.

sb700122. Sir, what are your ideas for reducing air pollution?

Our government should pass laws to force industry to phase out old polluting equipment. New power generation plants must use natural gas as a fuel. There should be a tax on charcoal, and assistance for people to use electric or natural gas heaters. Cars, trucks and buses must be inspected annually. Vehicles that emit lots of smoke can not be given licenses. Their owners must repair them until they pass inspection.

Sb70012 · Answer

Thanks a million.

Idea about Vs. idea for

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