inviting bids

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inviting bids" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as auctions, procurement processes, or project proposals where requests for offers or proposals are being made. Example: "The city council is inviting bids for the construction of the new community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Vine Street Capital says Spark should instead invite offers for its subsidiary Querist or inviting bids for the management of Spark Ventures' assets, effectively winding down the operation.

TechCrunch

He seems, in particular, to be inviting bids for TIM, which might fetch around €35 billion ($44.5 billion).

The Economist

Any extensive work on the site could mean the city was considering inviting bids again for a new restaurant there next year.

The New York Times

The NHS is embarking on its single biggest outsourcing of services so far by inviting bids for a contract that will be worth between £700m and £1.1bn.

The Guardian

Daewoo had sent letters to the carmakers inviting bids for Daewoo and its sport utility arm, Ssangyong Motor, early this month.

The New York Times

NHS England is embarking on its single biggest outsourcing of services so far by inviting bids for a contract that will be worth between £700m and £1.1bn.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

By inviting joint bids for funding, the government is encouraging businesses to form such talking shops.

The Economist

According to Ramnath Subramaniam G, chairman of the GSC orientation committee, "The contract was awarded to S&S Delicatessen because the quality of food offered by them was much superior, and we established very good working relations with S&S from last year". "The caterer for the GSC orientation picnic is chosen by a special committee after inviting competitive bids from various caterers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A series of Canadian newspaper articles criticized the terms of the tentative 2008 contract that the Maid of the Mist had reached with the Canadians, faulting the government for awarding the contract without inviting competing bids, which might have yielded more money.

The New York Times

The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency said it was inviting new bids for its 40percentt share in Astra International after an effort to sell the stake to a United States-led investment group failed because of what the agency called resistance by Astra's management.

The New York Times

And Webb says that he has doubts as to whether Heaney's bid will be approved by the Football League: "If the administrator had any confidence then he wouldn't be inviting other bids".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inviting bids", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being bid on and the process for submitting bids. Provide clear instructions and deadlines to potential bidders.

Common error

Avoid using vague or ambiguous language when outlining the requirements for bids. Clearly define the scope, criteria, and expectations to prevent confusion and ensure fair competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inviting bids" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle modifying a noun, indicating the action of requesting offers. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes the active solicitation of proposals for projects or services.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inviting bids" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of soliciting offers for a project or service. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news and media and formal business settings. When using the phrase, clarity and precision in outlining bid requirements are crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "requesting proposals" and "calling for tenders" may be used depending on the level of formality required. Overall, "inviting bids" serves as a clear and direct way to announce an opportunity for potential bidders to submit their offers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting proposals

Focuses on a formal request for detailed plans or solutions to a specific problem.

soliciting offers

Emphasizes the act of actively seeking out potential offers or submissions.

announcing a call for bids

Highlights the public announcement of an opportunity to submit offers.

calling for tenders

A more formal term, often used in governmental or official contexts for large projects.

putting out to tender

Similar to calling for tenders, but slightly less formal.

issuing a request for quotation

Specifically asks for price quotations for well-defined goods or services.

requesting sealed bids

Specifies that offers should be submitted privately and opened at a specific time.

opening up for auction

Implies a public sale where potential buyers compete by offering increasing amounts.

seeking submissions

A general term for asking for any kind of input or material.

accepting applications

Broader term referring to receiving formal requests or entries for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How to use "inviting bids" in a sentence?

You can use "inviting bids" to describe a situation where an organization is seeking offers for a project or contract. For instance, "The city council is inviting bids for the construction of the new community center."

What can I say instead of "inviting bids"?

You can use alternatives like "requesting proposals", "soliciting offers", or "calling for tenders" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "inviting bids" or "accepting bids"?

"Inviting bids" refers to the act of soliciting offers, while "accepting bids" refers to the process of receiving them. You invite bids before you accept them.

What's the difference between "inviting bids" and "opening an auction"?

"Inviting bids" is a general term for seeking offers, while "opening an auction" "opening up for auction" specifically refers to a public sale where increasing offers are made competitively.