began a bid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began a bid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initiation of an offer or proposal, often in a competitive context such as auctions or business negotiations. Example: "The company began a bid for the new contract, hoping to secure a lucrative deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, today began a bid for release from prison.

Independent

In February 2011, with just four months remaining in his four-year term, Mr. Leppert resigned and began a bid for Kay Bailey Hutchison's United States Senate seat.

The New York Times

Last month, Mr. James began a bid to have his 2008 conviction on fraud and tax evasion charges overturned, claiming that a juror had not been truthful in pretrial questioning.

The New York Times

OTTAWA — Based on his past, Stephen Harper, the Conservative prime minister of Canada, should have been the least of BHP Billiton's worries when the company began a bid to acquire the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, the world's largest fertilizer maker.

The New York Times

The Obama administration significantly curtailed the program after the Pakistani government began a bid to open peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban and allied militants.

Los Angeles Times

President Obama on Tuesday began a bid to convince congressional leaders — and the American people — of his strategy to defeat Islamic militants.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The AK Steel Holding Corporation began a bidding war yesterday for the National Steel Corporation, offering $825 million for the company, topping an earlier bid of $750 million from U. S. Steel.

The New York Times

William Randolph Hearst thought that "picksher" (as the Kid first spelled the word) should really be in his rival paper, The New York Journal, so he began a bidding war for the popular comic strip by Richard Felton Outcault featuring the Kid.

The New York Times - Arts

So when Representative Billy Tauzin, one of the most influential Republicans on Capitol Hill, signaled that he would retire this year, it did not come as a surprise that some of the city's most powerful trade associations began a bidding war for his services.

The New York Times

Yet, in the midst of the conflict, the city leader responsible, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, has begun a bid to become mayor.

The New York Times

And as old as politics itself is the cliché that one way to begin a bid for office is to announce you have no intention of seeking it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began a bid" to clearly indicate the starting point of an attempt to acquire something, whether it's a contract, a position, or an asset. Ensure the context provides clarity about what the bid is for.

Common error

Avoid using "began a bid" when referring to any general attempt. The term "bid" implies a formal offer or proposal, often in a competitive setting. Using it for informal situations can sound awkward and inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began a bid" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a formal offer or attempt. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing the initial stage of actions like seeking release from prison or acquiring a company.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began a bid" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe the commencement of a formal offer or attempt, as Ludwig AI confirms. While not exceedingly common, its usage is concentrated in news and business contexts. It's crucial to reserve it for situations involving a formal proposal, not casual attempts. Consider alternatives like "launched an attempt" or "initiated a campaign" for different nuances. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the subject and aim of the bid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launched an attempt

Emphasizes the act of starting something significant, often with a planned approach.

initiated a campaign

Specifically refers to starting a planned set of activities aimed at achieving a particular goal.

commenced an effort

Highlights the beginning of a determined exertion of power or action, often against resistance.

undertook a venture

Suggests embarking on a new and risky project or undertaking.

started a quest

Implies the beginning of a long and arduous search for something.

set in motion a plan

Focuses on activating a pre-arranged course of action.

embarked on a journey

Highlights starting a literal or metaphorical journey, implying a long and potentially transformative process.

pioneered an initiative

Suggests starting something new and innovative, leading the way for others.

opened negotiations

Specifically relates to beginning formal discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.

filed an offer

Indicates the formal submission of a proposal, often in a business or legal context.

FAQs

How can I use "began a bid" in a sentence?

You can use "began a bid" to indicate the start of an offer or attempt to obtain something, usually in a competitive situation. For example, "The company "began a bid" for the construction contract."

What are some alternatives to "began a bid"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "launched an attempt", "initiated a campaign", or "filed an offer".

Is it correct to say "started a bid" instead of "began a bid"?

While "started a bid" is understandable, ""began a bid"" is generally more formal and frequently encountered in professional and news contexts.

What's the difference between "began a bid" and "submitted a bid"?

"Began a bid" indicates the initiation of the process, whereas "submitted a bid" refers to the action of formally presenting the offer. You "begin a bid" by preparing the offer, and then you submit it.