are initially sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are initially sold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the first stage of a product's availability or distribution in a market context. Example: "The new smartphone models are initially sold at a premium price to attract early adopters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For example, Rolls previously accounted for aftermarket revenues, the maintenance and service work done after the engines are initially sold, upfront.

The Guardian - Business

The products are initially sold in a retail outlet.

European Journal of Operational Research

Greystripe, an advertising network for mobile games, has stepped in to compensate developers for every time their games are played, not just for when those games are initially sold.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They were initially sold at 330p.

Independent

Both the Fiesta and the Mazda 2 were initially sold overseas and had to be adapted for the American market.

The New York Times

Every year, guns that were initially sold in the U.S. are used in thousands of crimes in Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean, according to the Center for American Progress.

The New Yorker

It was initially sold and serviced separately from Mercedes and unsurprisingly failed to make an impact on dealers or the public.

The Economist

The PS3, which now costs $300 in America, was initially sold at a loss by Sony in order to boost its popularity.

The Economist

Vudu is clearly a more high-end offering, which may be why it will be initially sold only through www.vudu.com, Amazon.com and home-theater retail stores.

The New York Times - Tech

Although the stimulus was initially sold in large part as a public works program, only about 80,000 of the jobs that were claimed Friday were in construction.

The New York Times

When it was initially sold in 2003, FluMist was priced at about $50, two to six times as much as a flu shot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are initially sold", clarify any subsequent changes in price, distribution, or features to provide a complete picture of the product's history.

Common error

Avoid assuming "are initially sold" implies a continuous or unchanging state. Always clarify the temporal scope by contrasting the initial situation with later developments or modifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are initially sold" functions as a passive construction indicating the action of selling something at the beginning. It highlights the state of being sold at the onset, often implying subsequent changes or developments as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are initially sold" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the commencement of sales for a product or item. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and highlights its appearance in contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While the phrase itself is straightforward, effective use requires clarifying what follows that initial sales period, and it's suitable for neutral registers. It is not overly formal or informal. Examples show it's useful for establishing background information before diving into further details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are originally marketed

Focuses on the marketing aspect at the beginning.

are first retailed

Emphasizes the initial act of retail sale.

are launched for sale

Highlights the launch or introduction of the product for sale.

are introduced to the market

Focuses on the introduction of the product to the market, which implicitly involves selling.

are made available initially

Focuses on the availability aspect at the beginning.

are offered initially

Emphasizes the act of offering the product for sale at the beginning.

are put on sale first

Highlights the timing of putting the product on sale.

are first distributed

Focuses on the initial distribution of the product.

are released for purchase

Highlights the release of the product with the intent for purchase.

debut for sale

Focuses on the debut of the product's availability for sale.

FAQs

What does "are initially sold" mean?

The phrase "are initially sold" refers to the first time that products or items are offered for sale to consumers. This suggests there may be changes later, such as price adjustments or wider availability.

What can I say instead of "are initially sold"?

Alternatives include phrases like "are first retailed", "are originally marketed", or "are launched for sale", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "are initially sold at a loss"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "are initially sold at a loss" means the items were sold for less than they cost to produce, often as a strategy to gain market share, such as with the PlayStation 3.

How does the meaning change if I use "were initially sold" instead of "are initially sold"?

Using "were initially sold" indicates a past event, focusing on the initial sale period in the past. In contrast, "are initially sold" implies a present or ongoing situation, suggesting the products are currently being sold initially, even if sales continue later.