seek proposals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek proposals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are looking for suggestions, bids, or offers, typically in a business or project context. Example: "We are looking to seek proposals from various vendors for our upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A House committee approved a measure on Wednesday authorizing the state to seek proposals for such a prison.

The New York Times

The NASA competition may seek proposals solely for spacecraft — the crew capsules or winged craft atop the rockets — rather than the rockets themselves.

The New York Times - Science

It plans to seek proposals soon for a larger contract with a public relations firm that would help with the actual campaign, officials there said.

The New York Times

It included a measure requiring the government to seek proposals from private companies to construct a high-speed rail service between New York and Washington.

The New York Times

United's move to seek proposals at a time of heavy losses may reflect the long lead time involved in taking deliveries.

The New York Times

Mayor Barnes said Paterson had received a $250,000 federal grant to study developing the Passaic River waterfront, and the city would seek proposals to develop it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It is also seeking proposals from potential suppliers, he said.

The New York Times

It has begun seeking proposals from faculty members interested in commercializing their research.

The New York Times

Last year the Sarasota Architectural Foundation sponsored an international competition seeking proposals to revive the building.

The New York Times - Arts

Even before the deal between Newark and the Port Authority, the New Jersey Sport and Exposition Authority had been seeking proposals for the Meadowlands arena site.

The New York Times

The dispute came as Kmart contacted other agencies besides TBWA/Chiat/Day, seeking proposals to position the Kmart brand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek proposals", clearly define the scope and requirements of what you are seeking to ensure you receive relevant and useful submissions. Be specific about your needs and expectations.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad language when seeking proposals. Clearly define your needs, expectations, and evaluation criteria to ensure you receive relevant submissions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek proposals" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of requesting or soliciting formal offers or suggestions for a project or service. It is commonly used in business, government, and organizational contexts to initiate a competitive process, Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek proposals" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signals the act of requesting formal offers or suggestions. As Ludwig confirms, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, reflecting its use in reporting on governmental and business activities. While not exceptionally common, the phrase is appropriate for professional and formal communication, particularly when outlining project initiation or procurement processes. Remember to be specific and clear when using this phrase to ensure relevant and useful submissions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch a request for proposal

More specific, indicates formally opening a process to receive project proposals.

solicit bids

Focuses specifically on formal requests for priced offers, often in a competitive bidding process.

request quotations

Similar to solicit bids but can also apply to less formal requests for pricing information.

invite tenders

Common in formal procurement contexts, emphasizing the structured submission of proposals.

call for applications

Used when specifically looking for individuals or groups to apply for a position or opportunity.

ask for suggestions

Broader, referring to any type of suggestion, not necessarily formal or business-related.

procure offers

Highlights the act of obtaining offers through a procurement process.

open a call for submissions

Broader term for soliciting content or ideas.

canvass opinions

Emphasizes gathering a wide range of opinions on a topic.

put out a request for information

Focuses on gathering preliminary data before formal proposals are sought.

FAQs

How to use "seek proposals" in a sentence?

You can use "seek proposals" when your organization is looking for suggestions, bids, or offers for a project. For example, "The city council will "seek proposals" for the waterfront development project".

What can I say instead of "seek proposals"?

Alternatives to "seek proposals" include "solicit bids", "request quotations", or "invite tenders", depending on the formality and context.

Which is correct, "seek proposals" or "seeking proposals"?

"Seek proposals" is often used as a general directive or instruction, while "seeking proposals" indicates an ongoing activity. Both are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the intended meaning. "We will "seek proposals" next month." vs. "We are "seeking proposals" right now".

What's the difference between "seek proposals" and "request for proposals"?

"Seek proposals" is the action of asking for submissions, while "request for proposals" (RFP) refers to the formal document outlining the project and what is required in the proposals. In other words, organizations "seek proposals" by issuing a request for proposals.