Long sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Long sold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been sold for a considerable amount of time or that it is no longer available for purchase. Example: "The limited edition sneakers are long sold, and collectors are now willing to pay a premium for them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

These shows are long sold out.

The New Yorker

It has long sold at a premium.

The New York Times - Magazine

Supermarkets have long sold themselves as shoppers' friends.

The Economist

Flight attendants have long sold drinks off carts, she noted.

The New York Times

Athletes and others have long sold shares in their future earnings for money up front.

The New York Times

(Some have long sold out, but check online for available tickets).

The New York Times

Philips, a Dutch technology company, has long sold versions of its Lifeline medical-alert pendant (pictured).

The Economist

BMW, Audi's main rival, has long sold motorcycles, a potential motivation for the purchase.

The New York Times

BMW, Audi's main rival, has long sold motorcycles, which may be one motivation for the purchase.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Whether or not you have tickets to the long sold-out event, you can watch a live stream of Monday's event and purchase Bo Obama approved commemorative eggs.

Huffington Post

For those not fortunate enough to have a ticket, the long-sold-out event will be streamed for twenty-four hours afterward at 92YonDemand.org.org

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Long sold" to convey that something is not currently available because it was completely sold some time ago, implying sustained popularity or limited availability.

Common error

Avoid using "Long sold" to describe items that are temporarily out of stock or only recently sold out. It should imply a significant duration since the item was available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Long sold" functions as a compound adjective describing a state of being completely sold for a considerable duration. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Long sold" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe items or events that are completely sold out and have been unavailable for a significant period. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from reliable sources, primarily within the News & Media context. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys scarcity and sustained demand. Alternatives include "completely sold out" or "previously sold". Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the duration of an item being unavailable, not just its current status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sold out for a long time

Emphasizes the duration of being sold out, adding a temporal dimension.

Completely sold out

Highlights the completeness of the sell-out, indicating nothing remains.

Previously sold

Focuses on the prior state of being sold, less emphasis on current unavailability.

No longer available

States the unavailability directly, without specifying the reason as 'sold'.

Out of stock for good

Indicates permanent unavailability and suggests there will be no restock.

Gone for good

Suggests a permanent absence, implying the item will not return.

Long gone

Highlights that the item disappeared a while ago.

Not available anymore

Emphasizes the termination of availability, without a specific cause.

Unobtainable

Focuses on the inability to obtain the item, whether by sale or other means.

No longer in production

Indicates the item is not being made, which indirectly implies it can't be purchased new.

FAQs

How is "long sold" different from "sold out"?

"Long sold" implies that the item has been unavailable for a significant amount of time, suggesting sustained demand or limited supply. "Sold out" simply indicates that all units are currently purchased, without specifying the duration.

Can I use "long sold" to describe a service or experience?

Yes, "long sold" can apply to services or experiences, such as event tickets or subscriptions, that are no longer available due to being completely booked or having ended their sales period a while ago.

What are some alternatives to "long sold"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "completely sold out", "previously sold", or "no longer available".

Is it correct to say "it's long sold out"?

Yes, "it's long sold out" is a grammatically correct and commonly used variation that emphasizes both the completed sale and the duration of unavailability.