bid

USAGE SUMMARY

"bid" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "make an offer of a price one is willing to pay for something," or as a noun to mean "an offer of money." Example sentence: "I made a bid of $500 for the painting at the auction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was elected to a full term in 2000 before losing his re-election bid in 2006.

The Guardian

In one instance, Koelma sent a draft letter from O'Farrell's office in support of AWH's bid for a lucrative public-private partnership to the water company's chief executive, Nick Di Girolamo, asking him for input.

The Guardian

The most likely potential spoilers in American Pharoah's bid for history include Frosted (fourth in the Kentucky Derby) and Materiality (sixth), the second and third favorites at 5-1 and 6-1 respectively, who are superior closers capable of overtaking fading contenders down the stretch.

The Guardian - Sport

Stella Creasy, the energetic MP for Walthamstow, has made this a central pillar of her bid for the party's deputy leadership but the field is crowded.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday, the Russian president, Vladmir Putin, accused the US of meddling in a bid to undermine the 2018 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Tessa Jowell launches London mayoral bid with housebuilding pledge Jowell said: "Most mothers can form strong bonds with their children, but there are hundreds of children born every year in this city who are not born with that opportunity, and its consequences are lifelong.

The Guardian

And he intends to be a key element in pre-season title favourites Warwickshire's bid to emulate their 2012 success after snubbing a call up from New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet neither has formally declared a presidential bid, and neither has succeeded in pulling away from a second-tier bunch of candidates including senators Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz.

The Guardian

Livingstone's bid to mobilise and lead the opposition to Johnson has to be taken seriously, but none of us should think that he's going to automatically abandon the struggle to claim that progressive majority and just fall back on his suburban doughnut.

The Guardian - Opinion

December's Fiera del Bue Grasso is a bovine beauty show where restaurants and breeders bid to buy the top beasts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Farage is in a swing through northern cities in a bid to capture the Labour vote, and will not welcome this distraction in the opening days of a campaign in which he is hoping to cause a political earthquake by coming first in the popular vote in the European elections.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bid" in a business context, clearly state the terms and conditions to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "bid", which means to offer or attempt, with "bide", which means to wait or remain. Using one in place of the other changes the meaning of your sentence significantly.

Linguistic Context

The word "bid" functions primarily as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it signifies offering a price or instruction. As a noun, it denotes the offer itself or an attempt, consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "bid" is a versatile term that functions as both a verb and a noun, denoting an offer or an attempt. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. The most frequent context is News & Media. When writing, remember to use "bid" to mean 'offer' or 'attempt,' and avoid confusing it with "bide". Considering its versatility and wide application, mastering the usage of "bid" is crucial for effective communication in both formal and informal settings. Ludwig provides abundant examples, demonstrating its relevance across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an offer

Focuses on the act of proposing a price or terms, similar to "bid" but more general.

submit a tender

Implies a formal submission for a project or contract, akin to a "bid" in a business context.

enter the running

Emphasizes participation in a competition or race, mirroring the attempt aspect of a "bid".

make a play for

Highlights the attempt to gain something, sharing the ambition inherent in a "bid".

put forward a proposal

Stresses the presentation of a plan or suggestion, akin to a "bid" in negotiations.

attempt to secure

Focuses on the effort to obtain something, reflecting the striving nature of a "bid".

vie for position

Highlights the competition for a favorable spot, resembling a "bid" in a competitive environment.

seek to obtain

Emphasizes the pursuit of something, reflecting the desire behind a "bid".

aspire to

Highlights the ambition and goal-oriented nature of a "bid", focusing on the desired outcome.

launch a campaign

Emphasizes an organized effort, similar to a political or promotional "bid".

FAQs

How to use "bid" in a sentence?

You can use "bid" as a verb, meaning to offer a price, as in "She "bid" $200 for the antique vase". It can also be used as a noun, referring to an offer, such as "Their "bid" for the contract was rejected".

What can I say instead of "bid"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "offer", "tender", or "attempt". For example, instead of saying "They made a "bid" for the company", you could say "They made an "offer" for the company".

Which is correct, "bid" or "bade" as the past tense of "bid"?

While "bid" can be used as the past tense of "bid", "bade" is an older form that is less common in modern English. It's generally safer to use "bid" for both the present and past tense.

What's the difference between "bid" and "command"?

"Bid" can sometimes mean to command or instruct, but this usage is archaic. Today, "bid" primarily refers to making an offer, while "command" means to give an authoritative order.