a spare ticket

USAGE SUMMARY

"a spare ticket" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an extra ticket that is available, for example, "I have a spare ticket for tonight's concert, would you like to come?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Tony explained that he had a spare ticket, and I asked where he had got it.

The New Yorker

Ditto football, though again I have to be invited by someone with a spare ticket.

Independent

Nowadays there is barely a spare ticket available at the 27,740-seat Britannia Stadium.

The New York Times

Once, I told him, courtesy of a friend with a spare ticket at the last minute.

The New York Times

He had been spontaneously invited to the match during the baseball game by a United supporter with a spare ticket.

The Washington Post

I saw Volcano theatre company's Medea when I was at university; a friend had a spare ticket.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Someone asked me if I had any spare tickets on the way in".

The Guardian - Sport

When Bristow wrote back, he says she returned with an offer: "I have a few spare tickets lying around".

Huffington Post

However, as the 2005-06 grand final approached, Luka Rudan made sure his son had a few spare tickets.

The Guardian - Sport

I gave my spare ticket to Lorraine, a fan who'd travelled over especially from Ireland to wave at her idols from behind a barrier.

The Guardian - Music

Try something like: "I have a spare movie ticket to [that movie she wants to go to] on Friday night.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering "a spare ticket", specify the event details (date, time, venue) to avoid ambiguity and ensure the recipient understands the offer fully.

Common error

Avoid simply saying "I have "a spare ticket"" without specifying which event it's for. This can lead to confusion and missed opportunities, especially if you attend multiple events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spare ticket" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a ticket that is extra or not needed by its original owner. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage. The examples in Ludwig show it being used both in offers and requests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a spare ticket" is a common and grammatically correct English phrase used to refer to an extra or unused ticket for an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, primarily in news and media. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, with the primary purpose of offering or inquiring about the availability of an extra ticket. While generally neutral in register, it tends towards the informal side. When using this phrase, it is best practice to specify event details, and to avoid assuming shared knowledge of those details. Alternatives include "an extra ticket" or "an available ticket".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extra ticket

Direct synonym, simply using "extra" instead of "spare".

an available ticket

Highlights the ticket's current state of being obtainable.

an unused ticket

Focuses on the ticket not being used, rather than its availability.

a free ticket

Indicates the ticket is available at no cost.

a complimentary ticket

Indicates the ticket is free of charge, adding a value aspect.

a leftover ticket

Suggests the ticket remains after others have been distributed or used.

an unexpected ticket

Highlights the surprise nature of ticket availability.

a pass

A more general term, which may or may not be for a specific event.

a returned ticket

Suggests the ticket was previously allocated but is now available again.

a single ticket

Emphasizes that only one ticket is available.

FAQs

How can I use "a spare ticket" in a sentence?

You can use "a spare ticket" to offer it to someone, as in "I have "a spare ticket" to the game tonight, would you like to come?"

What is a more formal alternative to "a spare ticket"?

While "a spare ticket" is generally acceptable, in more formal settings, you could say "an additional ticket" or "an available ticket" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to sell "a spare ticket" for more than its face value?

The legality and ethics of selling "a spare ticket" for profit vary by jurisdiction and event. Some areas prohibit reselling tickets above face value.

What can I offer instead of "a spare ticket"?

Depending on context, you could offer "an extra ticket", "a free ticket", or even just "a ticket" if it's clear you have one available.