start a bid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start a bid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to auctions, proposals, or competitive offers where one initiates a bidding process. Example: "To secure the contract, we need to start a bid for the project by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the only candidate to declare a public interest so far is Buddy Roemer, a former governor of Louisiana whose effort to start a bid for the Republican nomination has faltered.

The New York Times

Thanks to the inscrutable wonder of campaign finance laws, Clinton can roll every penny that she doesn't spend on her Senate campaign into a presidential account, which is why she could well start a bid for the White House with as much as $75 million, on course to obliterate the party's previous fund-raising records.

The New York Times - Magazine

FC Slovacko's modest Mestsky Stadion, tucked away behind a park in the small eastern Czech town of Uherske Hradiste, is not the most auspicious of venues from which to start a bid to win a first continental title in 31 years but it is where England's Under-21 side will do just that against Portugal on Thursday night.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Many of them certainly have the financial ammunition to start a bidding war.

The New York Times

As he recalled, "it was enough to start a bidding war for the band.

Independent

But Pappy was not dishonest, nor did he want to start a bidding war.

The Guardian - Books

Unilever, which is always looking to expand in the consumer products business, and Henkel could start a bidding war.

The New York Times

"You don't want to start a bidding war, paying more than the apartment was advertised for".

The New York Times

The offer could start a bidding war, as the market leader, Rexel of France, said it was considering its options in light of the Sonepar bid.

The New York Times

Comcast's president, Mr. Burke, said yesterday that the company had ruled out most of the likely rivals that might conceivably start a bidding war.

The New York Times

The offer was accepted by the St George board on Tuesday but speculation has been rife that another bank may start a bidding war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start a bid", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being bid on, whether it's a project, contract, or item in an auction. For clarity, specify the subject of the bid immediately after the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "start a bid" without specifying what the bid is for. Ambiguity can confuse the audience; always follow with a clear identifier (e.g., "start a bid for the construction contract").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start a bid" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a bidding process, whether in auctions, project proposals, or competitive offers. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start a bid" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the initiation of a bidding process across various contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is a usable phrase in written English. While "start a bid" is most frequently found in news and media sources, it is important to specify what is being bid on to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "initiate a proposal", "launch an offer", and "commence a tender" can be used depending on the formality and specific context. Remember to clearly define the subject of the bid to ensure clarity and prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch an offer

Emphasizes the act of presenting an offer, which could be related to a takeover or acquisition.

initiate a proposal

Focuses on formally beginning a plan or suggestion rather than a competitive offer.

commence a tender

Specifically refers to beginning a formal tendering process, often in business contexts.

open up the bidding

Highlights the beginning of the bidding period

unleash an offer

Highlights the act of offering in a sudden way

kick off a campaign

Refers to starting a focused effort, such as in marketing or political contexts.

set in motion the bidding process

More formal way to express starting the bidding phase

trigger an auction

Highlights beginning an auction event

get the ball rolling on a proposal

Idiomatic phrase to communicate beginning in an informal way

inaugurate a project

Highlights beginning a long term project

FAQs

How can I use "start a bid" in a sentence?

You can use "start a bid" to describe the beginning of a competitive offer. For example, "We need to "initiate a proposal" to secure the contract".

What are some alternatives to "start a bid"?

Alternatives include "launch an offer", "commence a tender", or "kick off a campaign" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "initiate a bid" instead of "start a bid"?

Yes, "initiate a proposal" is a suitable alternative and often used in more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "start a bid" and "launch an offer"?

"Start a bid" generally refers to beginning any type of competitive offer, while "launch an offer" often implies a more formal or significant unveiling of an offer, especially in business acquisitions or takeovers.