an initial offer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial offer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first proposal made in a negotiation or transaction context. Example: "After careful consideration, we have decided to present an initial offer to the seller for the property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women who are given an initial offer below what they bring to the table reject the wage and initiate a negotiation 88% of the time.

Harvard Business Review

The Nets made an initial offer of Kittles, Lucious Harris, Aaron Williams and a draft pick.

The New York Times

That is up from 60 cents earlier this month and an initial offer of 54 cents.

The New York Times

They raised their bid three times from an initial offer of £7.2 a share.

The New York Times

The Yankees are expected to make an initial offer of $87 million for six years.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't think any team makes an initial offer and expects the guy to take it".

The New York Times - Sports

On April 20, Old National submitted an initial offer of around $600,000.

The New York Times

The Independent understands that an initial offer of 140p a share was made back in November.

Independent

The investment firms made an initial offer for the company in May.

The New York Times

And others learned that if they threw away an initial offer, there would always be a cheaper one right behind.

The New York Times

The directors rejected an initial offer of $23 a share, but accepted a higher bid of $28.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making an "initial offer", research thoroughly to ensure it's competitive yet beneficial for your position. Starting too low can undervalue your worth, while starting too high can deter negotiations altogether.

Common error

Don't treat the "initial offer" as a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum. It's typically a starting point for negotiation. Be prepared to discuss and justify your counter-proposals with solid reasoning and market data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial offer" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the first proposal presented in a negotiation or transaction. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial offer" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the first proposal in a negotiation or transaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. When using "an initial offer", remember it serves as a starting point, not a final decision. Be prepared to negotiate, and research thoroughly to make informed counter-proposals. Consider alternatives like "a preliminary proposal" or "a first bid" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary proposal

Replaces "initial" with "preliminary", emphasizing the introductory nature of the offer.

a first bid

Uses "bid" instead of "offer", suitable in competitive contexts like auctions or acquisitions.

the opening proposition

Employs "proposition" to denote a formal suggestion or plan presented at the beginning.

the original suggestion

Substitutes "offer" with "suggestion", which might imply less formality or commitment.

the starting price

More specific to sales or negotiations involving a set price, highlighting the initial monetary value.

an introductory rate

Often used in financial or service contexts, emphasizing a special, often lower, price for new customers.

the pilot scheme

This suggests a experimental offer, usually within a commercial context.

a speculative tender

This suggests that there is an unconfirmed or low certainty level.

the kickoff proposal

The term 'kickoff' suggests that this proposal is just the start of negotiations and potentially can change.

the baseline figure

Specifies a reference quantity used as a base for a future offer.

FAQs

How to use "an initial offer" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial offer" to describe the first proposal made in a negotiation, such as "The company rejected "an initial offer" of $23 a share but accepted a higher bid of $28".

What can I say instead of "an initial offer"?

Alternatives include "a preliminary proposal", "a first bid", or "the opening proposition", depending on the context of the negotiation.

Is it expected to accept "an initial offer"?

It is generally not expected to accept "an initial offer" without negotiation. Often, it serves as a starting point for further discussion and potential adjustments.

What factors should I consider when evaluating "an initial offer"?

Consider your own needs, market standards, and the potential for future growth when evaluating "an initial offer". Always compare it with alternative opportunities and be prepared to justify your counter-offer.