in a bid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a bid" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to an action or attempt made in order to achieve a certain result. For example: "The company launched a new product in a bid to increase profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm putting in a bid today.

Huffington Post

The telephone bidder slid in a bid of $40,000.

The New York Times

conspirator" in a bid to search his personal e-mails.

The Washington Post

Perhaps Little Rock should put in a bid.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe Yogi will call in a bid from Shea Stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs. Zuckerman interjected: "And nobody ever put in a bid.

The New York Times

He turned to me again in a bid for arbitration.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has put in a bid for the building.

The New York Times - Arts

In a bid to cope with market instability, companies now look beyond cost advantage.

Journal of Applied Research and Technology

In a bid to wear down detractors, fruitcake and plum pudding keep forever.

The New York Times

(Perhaps, after the bubble burst, it did this in a bid to retain those clients' assets).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a bid" to clearly indicate the purpose or intention behind an action, especially in formal or news-related contexts. For example, "The company launched a new marketing campaign in a bid to attract younger customers".

Common error

Avoid using "in a bid" in overly casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "trying to" or "attempting to" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a bid" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the purpose or intention behind an action. It is used to explain why something is being done, often in a formal or strategic context. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a bid" is a frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce the purpose or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, science, and business contexts. While highly versatile, it's best suited for formal and neutral communication, avoiding overuse in casual settings. Alternatives such as "in an attempt" or "with the aim of" offer similar meanings, though may vary in formality. When using "in a bid", ensure it accurately reflects the strategic or purposeful nature of the action being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an attempt

Similar meaning, focusing on the attempt itself rather than the formal context.

with the aim of

Emphasizes the intended goal or objective.

in an effort to

Highlights the exertion and striving involved.

seeking to

More concise, indicating a pursuit or search for something.

with the intention of

Highlights the purpose and premeditation.

striving for

Focuses on continuous effort and ambition.

trying to

Informal and direct way of expressing an attempt.

as a means to

Indicates the method or strategy used.

with a view to

Formal and emphasizes the future result.

on a mission to

Suggests a determined and focused endeavor.

FAQs

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

"In a bid" is used to introduce the purpose or intention behind an action. For example, "The government introduced new policies "in a bid" to reduce unemployment".

What are some alternatives to "in a bid"?

You can use alternatives such as "in an attempt", "with the aim of", or "in an effort to" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "in a bid to" and "in an attempt to"?

While similar, "in a bid to" often implies a more formal or strategic effort compared to the more general "in an attempt to".

When is it appropriate to use "in a bid"?

It's appropriate in formal writing, news reports, or business communications where you want to clearly state the objective behind a particular action or strategy. Using "in an effort to" can also work in these situations.