there were no bids

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were no bids" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as auctions, proposals, or competitive situations where offers or submissions are expected but none were received. Example: "After reviewing the auction results, it was clear that there were no bids on the rare collectible item."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

THERE were no bids from mysterious bimbos, and the auctioneer was not wearing a bow tie.

The Economist

There were no bids.

The New York Times - Arts

But there were no bids.

The New York Times - Arts

He held an auction, but there were no bids.

The New York Times

There were no bids, and in 1922 it was broken up for scrap.

The New Yorker

Often there were no bids at all, or dealers were looking for a bargain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It is worthy of note that there were no BID deaths as a result of cancer and CVS related deaths in this age group.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

"There are no bids," Martínez said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Sometimes, because of fear or extreme uncertainty in the markets, you get in a situation in which there are no bids at all, or at least no realistic bids".

The New York Times

There are no bids outside that".

BBC

We can see that there are no bids for Item8.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were no bids" to clearly and concisely state the absence of offers in auctions, sales, or formal proposals. It avoids ambiguity and is widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using similar-sounding but grammatically incorrect phrases like "there weren't any bid". Stick to the standard form "there were no bids" for clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were no bids" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It asserts the absence of bids in a specific context, such as an auction or a proposal process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were no bids" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the absence of offers or proposals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media, scientific and business contexts. Understanding its usage and potential alternatives enhances clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no offers were submitted

Emphasizes the lack of formal submissions in a process.

nobody made an offer

Highlights the absence of any party extending an offer.

there was a lack of interest

Focuses on the absence of enthusiasm or willingness to participate.

no one expressed interest

Indicates a general absence of expressed desire or inclination.

the auction went unsold

Specifically refers to the failure of items to be sold at an auction.

no proposals were received

Focuses on the absence of formal proposals in response to a request.

it failed to attract any bids

Highlights the inability to generate offers or interest.

the item received no offers

Specifies that a particular item did not attract any offers.

no one showed interest

Focuses on the lack of demonstrated interest from potential buyers.

the sale elicited no bids

Emphasizes that the sale did not generate any offers.

FAQs

What does "there were no bids" mean?

The phrase "there were no bids" means that no one made an offer to purchase something at an auction, sale, or in response to a proposal. It indicates a lack of interest or perceived value.

What can I say instead of "there were no bids"?

You can use alternatives like "no offers were submitted", "nobody made an offer", or "there was a lack of interest" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "there weren't any bids" instead of "there were no bids"?

While "there weren't any bids" is understandable, "there were no bids" is generally considered more grammatically formal and precise. The latter is preferred in formal writing and professional contexts.

How do I use "there were no bids" in a sentence?

You can use "there were no bids" to describe a situation where an expected offer or proposal did not materialize. For example, "Despite the marketing efforts, there were no bids on the property at the auction."