made a bid

USAGE SUMMARY

"made a bid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone puts in an offer for a product, service, or other item. For example: "Bob made a bid on a new car at the auto auction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

PepsiCo never made a bid.

The New York Times

I made a bid.

The New York Times

No other city made a bid.

The Guardian - Sport

In July, he made a bid for Variety.

The New Yorker

Other people made a bid for attention by savaging her.

The New York Times

"Every significant toy company made a bid," Ms. Goldsmith said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

On Tuesday night, the House GOP made a bid to reopen selected parts of government.

Los Angeles Times

The player has to know we made a bid for him.

The Guardian - Sport

The European Central Bank (ECB) has already made a bid for the role of supervisor.

The Economist

After Alfred's death in 899, Æthelwold made a bid for the throne.

Wikipedia

Arsenal have made a bid of about £10m for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "made a bid" with details about the target of the bid, such as "made a bid for the company" or "made a bid on the artwork". This provides essential context and enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "made a bid" when the situation involves simple offers or suggestions. "Made a bid" implies a formal proposal in a competitive environment, unlike a casual offer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a bid" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally offering to buy or acquire something, often in a competitive context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made a bid" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of formally offering to buy something, especially in competitive situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, "made a bid" serves to convey factual information about transactions and offers. When using "made a bid", ensure clarity and specificity, and be mindful of the implied formality. Consider alternatives like "submitted an offer" or "put forward a proposal" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submitted an offer

Emphasizes the act of presenting a formal proposal, differing from the general sense of "made a bid".

presented a tender

Similar to "submitted an offer", it specifies a formal document but keeps the core meaning related to bidding.

put forward a proposal

Highlights the proactive nature of suggesting a plan or idea, varying slightly from the competitive context of bidding.

tendered a submission

Implies a formal and often documented presentation of a bid, adding a layer of procedural correctness.

put in for

Offers a more informal way to express making a bid, suitable for casual contexts.

lodged a claim

Focuses on asserting a right or entitlement, which is different from making an offer in a competitive setting.

sought to acquire

Focuses on the intent to obtain something, such as a company or asset, through a bid or other means.

tabled a motion

Refers to formally introducing a proposal in a meeting or legislative setting, differing from the general bidding context.

extended an invitation

Implies offering an opportunity or request, which is a broader concept than making a specific bid.

launched an attempt

Indicates initiating an effort or endeavor, diverging from the specific context of submitting a bid.

FAQs

What does "made a bid" mean?

"Made a bid" means to have formally offered to buy something, often in a competitive situation like an auction or takeover.

What can I say instead of "made a bid"?

You can use alternatives like "submitted an offer", "put forward a proposal", or "tendered a submission" depending on the context.

How do I use "made a bid" in a sentence?

Example: "The company "made a bid" for the rival firm, hoping to expand its market share."

Is "made a bid" formal or informal?

"Made a bid" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is most common in business or news reporting.