start the bidding

USAGE SUMMARY

"start the bidding" is indeed correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an auction, either real-life or metaphorical. For example: "Let's start the bidding at $20!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Start the bidding at €1,000..

The New York Times

I'll start the bidding at a tenner….

Independent

I'd like to start the bidding.

The New York Times

A group led by Nolan Ryan, the team's president, will start the bidding at $575 million.

The New York Times

At the Torrington Livestock Markets, it was nearly time to start the bidding.

The New York Times

If the @UKLabour Party would like to auction the "EdStone" may I start the bidding at £100000.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Start the bid as low as your gut will let you.

Forbes

Yesterday, House Democrats started the bidding.

The New York Times

He started the bidding at $2,000 and had an offer.

The New York Times

He started the bidding at a hundred dollars, and quickly ratcheted it up to two seventy-five.

The New Yorker

He started the bidding at a dollar; two weeks later, the high bid had reached $14.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start the bidding", clearly state the item being auctioned and the initial bid amount to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "start the bidding" interchangeably with phrases like "accepting offers" if a formal auction process isn't actually in place. "Start the bidding" implies a structured auction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start the bidding" functions as an idiomatic expression used to initiate a formal process of competitive offers, typically in an auction setting. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's correct and usable in written English. It signals the commencement of the bidding stage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start the bidding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiomatic phrase that marks the commencement of a competitive bidding process, primarily in auctions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its usage spans various contexts, most notably in News & Media and formal business scenarios. When using the phrase, it's crucial to set a clear initial bid and ensure the setting is appropriate for a formal auction. Alternatives like "open the auction" or "commence the auction" can be considered for slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin the auction

Simple and direct synonym.

let the bidding begin

Emphasizes the beginning of the bidding process in a slightly dramatic way.

open the auction

Similar to 'commence', but slightly less formal.

establish the starting bid

Similar to 'set the opening price', highlighting the initial bid.

commence the auction

More formal alternative, emphasizing the beginning of the auction event.

initiate the bidding process

Formal and emphasizes the structured nature of the bidding.

call for initial offers

Emphasizes requesting the first bids from participants.

kick off the auction

Informal and energetic, suggesting a lively start.

set the opening price

Focuses on the establishment of an initial price point.

introduce the first offer

Focuses on the act of presenting the initial monetary amount.

FAQs

How to use "start the bidding" in a sentence?

You can use "start the bidding" to introduce the beginning of an auction, for example: "Let's "start the bidding" at $100 for this antique vase."

What can I say instead of "start the bidding"?

You can use alternatives like "open the auction", "commence the auction", or "let the bidding begin" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "start the bidding" or "begin the bidding"?

Both ""start the bidding"" and "begin the bidding" are correct, but "start the bidding" is more common and idiomatic.

When is it appropriate to use "start the bidding"?

It's appropriate to use ""start the bidding"" when formally initiating a process where people are invited to offer increasing amounts of money for an item or service.