Offer vs. Offers — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 4, 2024
"Offer" is singular, whereas "offers" is plural, indicating quantity.
Difference Between Offer and Offers
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An "offer" refers to a single proposal or bid made by one party to another, suggesting a willingness to enter into an agreement under specified conditions. This could be anything from a job offer, a discount on a product, or an invitation. On the other hand, "offers" is simply the plural form of "offer," indicating more than one proposal, bid, or invitation being presented or available.
In a commercial context, a company might make an "offer" to sell a product at a specific price. If the company has multiple different proposals or discounts available, these are referred to as "offers." The distinction highlights the quantity of proposals rather than their quality or content.
When discussing negotiations or transactions, using "offer" implies discussing a specific proposal on the table. Switching to "offers" suggests multiple proposals are being considered, reflecting the breadth of options or the negotiation's complexity.
Grammatically, the choice between "offer" and "offers" depends on the subject's number the verb is referring to. For example, "The company offers several discounts" uses "offers" because the subject (the company) is singular, but the verb indicates an action affecting multiple objects (discounts). Conversely, "Two companies make an interesting offer each" uses "offer" to describe the action of each company making a single proposal.
The usage of "offer" versus "offers" can also signal the speaker's or writer's focus. Emphasizing "offer" might aim to draw attention to a particular proposal's value or details, while discussing "offers" could aim to highlight variety, competition, or the availability of choices.
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Comparison Chart
Number
Singular, referring to one proposal or bid
Plural, indicating multiple proposals or bids
Context
Typically involves discussing a specific proposal
Implies a discussion involving multiple proposals
Grammar
Matches with singular subjects or objects
Matches with plural subjects or indicates multiple actions or choices
Focus
Highlights the specifics or value of a single proposal
Highlights variety, competition, or choice
Example Use
"The company made an attractive offer."
"The company has several attractive offers available."
Compare with Definitions
Offer
A proposal for an agreement.
She received an offer to buy her artwork.
Offers
Bids in an auction.
The auctioneer welcomed offers from the floor.
Offer
A bid in an auction.
The highest offer for the painting was $500.
Offers
Multiple proposals for agreements.
She evaluated several job offers before deciding.
Offer
A promotional discount.
The store made an offer for 20% off all shoes.
Offers
Various promotional discounts.
The brochure listed special offers for members.
Offer
An invitation or opportunity.
He extended an offer to join the project.
Offers
Invitations or opportunities.
The conference presented offers to attend exclusive workshops.
Offer
A gesture of intent to do something.
She made an offer to help with the event.
Offers
Gestures or intentions to do something.
The volunteers made various offers of assistance.
Offer
To present for acceptance or rejection; proffer
Offered me a drink.
Offers
Offers is a 2005 Dutch television film directed by Dana Nechushtan and starring Maryam Hassouni and Jacob Derwig. The thriller film is a personal drama about suicide bombers and counter-terrorism in Western Europe.
Offer
To put forward for consideration; propose
Offer an opinion.
Offers
To present for acceptance or rejection; proffer
Offered me a drink.
Offer
To present in order to meet a need or satisfy a requirement
Offered new statistics in order to facilitate the decision-making process.
Offers
To put forward for consideration; propose
Offer an opinion.
Offer
To present as an act of worship
Offer a prayer.
Offers
To present in order to meet a need or satisfy a requirement
Offered new statistics in order to facilitate the decision-making process.
Offer
To propose as payment; bid
Offered only half what I was asking for the car.
Offers
To present as an act of worship
Offer a prayer.
Offer
To make available; afford
The situation offers us the opportunity to learn more.
Offers
To propose as payment; bid
Offered only half what I was asking for the car.
Offer
To present for sale
Those boots are being offered at half price.
Offers
To make available; afford
The situation offers us the opportunity to learn more.
Offer
To provide; furnish
A hotel that offers conference facilities.
Offers
To present for sale
Those boots are being offered at half price.
Offer
To exhibit readiness or desire (to do something); volunteer
Offered to carry the packages.
Offers
To provide; furnish
A hotel that offers conference facilities.
Offer
To engage in; put up
Partisans who offered strong resistance to the invaders.
Offers
To exhibit readiness or desire (to do something); volunteer
Offered to carry the packages.
Offer
To threaten
Offered to leave without them if they didn't hurry.
Offers
To engage in; put up
Partisans who offered strong resistance to the invaders.
Offer
To produce or introduce on the stage
The repertory group is offering two new plays this season.
Offers
To threaten
Offered to leave without them if they didn't hurry.
Offer
To present an offering in worship or devotion.
Offers
To produce or introduce on the stage
The repertory group is offering two new plays this season.
Offer
To make an offer or proposal, especially of marriage.
Offers
To present an offering in worship or devotion.
Offer
To present itself
"This plan was dropped, because of its risk, and because a better offered" (T.E. Lawrence).
Offers
To make an offer or proposal, especially of marriage.
Offer
(Baseball) To swing at a pitch. Used of a batter.
Offers
To present itself
"This plan was dropped, because of its risk, and because a better offered" (T.E. Lawrence).
Offer
The act of offering
An offer of assistance.
Offers
(Baseball) To swing at a pitch. Used of a batter.
Offer
Something, such as a suggestion, proposal, bid, or recommendation, that is offered
Did you accept his offer for the car?.
Offers
The act of offering
An offer of assistance.
Offer
(Law) A proposal that if accepted constitutes a legally binding contract.
Offers
Something, such as a suggestion, proposal, bid, or recommendation, that is offered
Did you accept his offer for the car?.
Offer
The condition of being offered, especially for sale
Thousands of bushels of wheat on offer.
Offers
(Law) A proposal that if accepted constitutes a legally binding contract.
Offer
A proposal that has been made.
What's in his offer?
I decline your offer to contract.
Offers
The condition of being offered, especially for sale
Thousands of bushels of wheat on offer.
Offer
Something put forth, bid, proffered or tendered.
His offer was $3.50 per share.
Offers
Plural of offer
Offer
(legal) An invitation to enter into a binding contract communicated to another party which contains terms sufficiently definite to create an enforceable contract if the other party accepts the invitation.
His first letter was not a real offer, but an attempt to determine interest.
Offer
(used in combinations from phrasal verbs) agent noun of off
Offer
(intransitive) To propose or express one's willingness (to do something).
She offered to help with her homework.
Offer
(transitive) To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest.
Everybody offered an opinion.
Offer
(transitive) To place at someone’s disposal; to present (something) to be either accepted or turned down.
He offered use of his car for the week.
He offered his good will for the Councilman's vote.
Offer
(transitive) To present (something) to God or gods as a gesture of worship, or for a sacrifice.
Offer
To place (something) in a position where it can be added to an existing mechanical assembly.
Offer
(transitive) To bid, as a price, reward, or wages.
I offered twenty dollars for it. The company is offering a salary of £30,000 a year.
Offer
(intransitive) To happen, to present itself.
Offer
(obsolete) To make an attempt; typically used with at.
Offer
(transitive) To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive or defensive way; to threaten.
To offer violence to somebody
The peasants offered no resistance as they were rounded up.
Offer
To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; - often with up.
Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement.
A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
Offer
To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.
I offer thee three things.
Offer
To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's willingness; as, he offered to help me.
Offer
To attempt; to undertake.
All that offer to defend him.
Offer
To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.
Offer
To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way; to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc.
Offer
To present itself; to be at hand.
The occasion offers, and the youth complies.
Offer
To make an attempt; to make an essay or a trial; - used with at.
He would be offering at the shepherd's voice.
I will not offer at that I can not master.
Offer
The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or bidding; a proffer; a first advance.
Offer
That which is offered or brought forward; a proposal to be accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.
When offers are disdained, and love denied.
Offer
Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an offer to catch the ball.
Offer
The verbal act of offering;
A generous offer of assistance
Offer
Something offered (as a proposal or bid);
Noteworthy new offerings for investors included several index funds
Offer
A usually brief attempt;
He took a crack at it
I gave it a whirl
Offer
Make available or accessible, provide or furnish;
The conference center offers a health spa
The hotel offers private meeting rooms
Offer
Present for acceptance or rejection;
She offered us all a cold drink
Offer
Agree freely;
She volunteered to drive the old lady home
I offered to help with the dishes but the hostess would not hear of it
Offer
Put forward for consideration;
He offered his opinion
Offer
Offer verbally;
Extend my greetings
He offered his sympathy
Offer
Make available for sale;
The stores are offering specials on sweaters this week
Offer
Propose a payment;
The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting
Offer
Produce or introduce on the stage;
The Shakespeare Company is offering `King Lear' this month
Offer
Present as an act of worship;
Offer prayers to the gods
Offer
Mount or put up;
Put up a good fight
Offer resistance
Offer
Make available; provide;
Extend a loan
The bank offers a good deal on new mortgages
Offer
Ask (someone) to marry you;
He popped the question on Sunday night
She proposed marriage to the man she had known for only two months
The old bachelor finally declared himself to the young woman
Offer
Threaten to do something;
I offered to leave the committee if they did not accept my proposal
Common Curiosities
Can a single entity make multiple "offers"?
Yes, an entity can present multiple proposals or opportunities, hence making multiple "offers."
Do "offer" and "offers" only apply to commercial transactions?
No, they can apply to a wide range of proposals, invitations, and opportunities.
How do I know when to use "offer" vs. "offers"?
Use "offer" when referring to a single proposal and "offers" when discussing more than one.
How does the usage of "offer" vs. "offers" change the focus of a sentence?
"Offer" focuses on the details or value of a specific proposal, while "offers" highlights the variety or availability of multiple options.
How do plural forms affect verb conjugation with "offer" and "offers"?
The form of "offer" determines verb conjugation based on subject-verb agreement, e.g., "He offers" vs. "They offer."
How does the choice between "offer" and "offers" influence negotiation strategies?
Using "offers" might indicate flexibility and a willingness to explore different options, potentially leading to more favorable negotiation outcomes.
Are "offer" and "offers" used differently in marketing?
In marketing, "offer" may refer to a specific deal, while "offers" suggest a range of deals or promotions to attract different customers.
Can "offer" and "offers" be used interchangeably?
Not correctly, as they indicate singular and plural numbers, respectively.
Is the distinction between "offer" and "offers" important in legal contexts?
Yes, clarity in number can be crucial in contracts and legal agreements to ensure precise understanding and obligations.
Can the term "offer" imply conditions or stipulations?
Yes, an "offer" often comes with specific conditions that the other party must accept to finalize an agreement.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
