open a tender

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "open a tender" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of procurement or bidding processes, referring to the act of inviting bids or proposals for a project or service. Example: "The company decided to open a tender for the construction of the new office building to ensure competitive pricing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government opened a tender process on 20 December and bidders have until 23 March to submit full proposals.

BBC

The OPCW is opening a tender process for private companies that want to destroy Syrian chemicals.

Huffington Post

However, they are effectively the right to open a service to a competitive tender and the right to register an asset if the local authority agrees.

The Guardian

It opens with a tender duet, lighted by torches and set to Vivaldi.

The New York Times - Arts

The trailer opens with a tender moment around the campfire, before revealing the words: "It was an experiment in time but the one variable they forgot... was love".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Set in the Ardennes in an unspecified past, the poem opens with a tender love scene in which a couple "take their happiness / For there and then and not for memory".

The Guardian - Books

She opens with a tender Si, mi chiamano Mimi from Puccini's La bohème (Mimi is one of her signature roles) and travels via Hahn, Fauré and Ravel back to Mozart, Gluck and, in an anguished Dido's Lament, Purcell.

The Guardian - Music

With a budget of some £100m a year, the EU has now opened a call for tenders.

The Guardian - Opinion

A group of private equity firms is set to open the tender for its takeover of information provider VNU on Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The New York Times

The LAA is not yet in a position to open up the tender process".

The Guardian

398 NHS community services all over England - worth over a quarter of a billion pounds – out to open tender.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "open a tender", ensure that all relevant information about the tender process, such as deadlines, requirements, and evaluation criteria, are clearly communicated to potential bidders.

Common error

Avoid using overly generic language when describing the tender requirements. Provide specific details about the project or service to attract qualified bidders and ensure accurate proposals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open a tender" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in business, government, and legal contexts. It describes the action of formally initiating a process where bids or proposals are invited for a specific project or service.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "open a tender" is a verb phrase denoting the commencement of a formal bidding process. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts. While examples of its use are currently limited, the phrase finds its place in news, business, and scientific domains, maintaining a professional and neutral tone. Alternatives like "launch a tender process" or "issue a call for tenders" offer similar meanings, emphasizing different nuances of the bidding initiation. When employing this phrase, clarity in detailing the tender requirements is essential to ensure effective communication and attract appropriate bids.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch a tender process

Focuses on the act of starting the tender process, emphasizing the procedural aspect.

initiate a bidding process

Highlights the commencement of a competitive bidding scenario.

invite tenders

Emphasizes the act of soliciting bids from potential suppliers or contractors.

issue a call for tenders

Formal way of announcing the availability of a tender opportunity.

solicit bids

Directly focuses on seeking offers for a particular project or contract.

announce a tender

Highlights the public declaration of a tender opportunity.

commence a tender

Similar to launching, but with a slightly more formal tone.

put out to tender

Indicates making a contract or project available for bidding.

call for proposals

Broadens the scope to include not just bids, but also comprehensive plans.

start a request for quotation

Specifically requests pricing information rather than comprehensive proposals.

FAQs

How is "open a tender" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "open a tender" is commonly used to describe the act of making a project or contract available for bidding. For example: "The government decided to "open a tender" for the construction of the new bridge".

What are some alternatives to "open a tender"?

Alternatives to "open a tender" include phrases like "launch a tender process", "issue a call for tenders", or "invite tenders", which all convey the same basic meaning of initiating a bidding process.

Is it more appropriate to say "open a tender" or "issue a tender"?

Both "open a tender" and "issue a tender" are acceptable. "Issue a tender" might be considered slightly more formal, but the choice often depends on the context and personal preference. They are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "open a tender" and "request for proposal"?

"Open a tender" refers generally to initiating a bidding process. A "request for proposal" is a specific type of tender where detailed proposals, not just prices, are solicited. So, "calling for proposals" emphasizes a need for comprehensive solutions, while ""open a tender"" can sometimes be more focused on cost.