soliciting bids

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soliciting bids" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of requesting proposals or offers, often in business or procurement situations. Example: "The company is soliciting bids from various contractors for the new construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The company said it has begun preparing financial information about the terminals and soliciting bids.

The New York Times

Now, the bankers said, Fiat is soliciting bids for the company.

The New York Times

After initially soliciting bids from major security companies for work in Libya, State Department officials never followed through.

The New York Times

Then he received an e-mail message from the Energy Department soliciting bids for the oil from the reserve.

The New York Times

But Mr. Gulotta said he was not soliciting bids, especially since the agency is such a reliable cash cow.

The New York Times

That would allow him to avoid discussing his plans with publishers and soliciting bids, as his wife did.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Each of these Scandinavian countries has a strong forestry landowners association that either sets up a mutual company offering forest insurance, or acts as a go-between by estimating demand from members and soliciting bid offers from insurance companies.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

At that point, the city will solicit bids from developers.

The New York Times

But the department has never solicited bids from potential consultants.

The New York Times

The parties agreed to a go-shop provision allowing Dynegy to solicit bids for 40 days.

The New York Times

It has hired Deutsche Bank to solicit bids from sophisticated investors and set minimum bids.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "soliciting bids", be clear and specific about the requirements, timeline and evaluation criteria. This ensures you receive relevant and competitive offers.

Common error

Don't automatically choose the lowest bid without considering the quality, experience and reputation of the bidder. A slightly higher bid from a more reliable source may be more cost-effective in the long run.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soliciting bids" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of requesting offers from multiple parties. This is frequently used in business, government, and construction contexts. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in describing various kinds of solicitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "soliciting bids" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe the act of requesting offers, typically in a formal or business context. Ludwig's examples show it is most frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys the process of seeking competitive offers, with related phrases like "inviting tenders" and "requesting proposals" offering similar meanings. When using "soliciting bids", be clear and specific about your requirements to ensure relevant offers and consider factors beyond just the lowest price.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inviting tenders

Emphasizes a formal invitation for offers, often in construction or government projects.

requesting proposals

Highlights the need for detailed plans and cost estimates from potential providers.

calling for quotes

Focuses on obtaining price estimates from multiple vendors for comparison.

seeking offers

A more general term for trying to get potential vendors to present what they can provide.

putting out a request for proposal

Highlights the action of formally announcing the need for bids.

inviting applications

Focuses on formally inviting vendors to apply with their proposals.

opening up for auction

Suggests that the sale/purchase is based on a competitive auction.

canvassing for offers

Implies actively reaching out to multiple potential vendors.

issuing an invitation to bid

Highlights the act of making a formal invitation for others to submit their bids.

floating a tender

Similar to inviting tenders, but with more of a commercial tone.

FAQs

How to use "soliciting bids" in a sentence?

You can use "soliciting bids" to describe the act of requesting offers for a project or service. For example, "The city is "soliciting bids" for the construction of a new bridge".

What can I say instead of "soliciting bids"?

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

What's the difference between "soliciting bids" and "issuing a request for proposal"?

"Soliciting bids" is a more general term, while "issuing a request for proposal" implies a more formal and structured process with detailed requirements and evaluation criteria.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "soliciting bids"?

The phrase "soliciting bids" is appropriate in contexts related to procurement, construction, or any situation where you are seeking competitive offers from multiple parties.