can be sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be sold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is available for purchase or can be offered for sale. Example: "This product can be sold in various markets around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That information can be sold to marketers.

The New York Times

"This building can be sold".

The New York Times

I think all can be sold.

University of California, Berkeley

The house can be sold furnished.

The New York Times

I think it can be sold.

The Guardian

The C2 component can be sold as petrochemical plant feedstocks.

Handbook of Natural Gas Transmission and Processing Principles and Practices

And then, happiness can be sold.

The Guardian

Alcohol can be sold only in certain shops.

The New York Times

I heard it can be sold for millions.

The Guardian

That's required in church law before property can be sold".

The New York Times

Bees create honey, which can be sold on the market.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be sold" when you want to express the possibility or permissibility of selling something, without specifying who will sell it or to whom.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "can be sold" is grammatically correct, active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The product can be sold online", consider "We can sell the product online."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be sold" functions as a passive construction, indicating the possibility or permissibility of an item or service being sold. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts, emphasizing availability or marketability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be sold" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the possibility or permissibility of selling something. According to Ludwig, it is widely accepted and used in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for passive voice and consider whether an active voice might make your writing more direct. For alternatives, you could use phrases like "is available for purchase" or "is marketable" depending on the specific context. As Ludwig's examples show, "can be sold" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is salable

A more formal synonym, indicating the capability of being sold.

is on the market

Indicates that something is actively being offered for sale.

is available for purchase

Focuses on the availability of something to buy, emphasizing the consumer's perspective.

is marketable

Highlights the suitability of something for the market, emphasizing its appeal to potential buyers.

is commercially viable

Emphasizes the potential for profit, focusing on the business aspect of selling.

may be auctioned

Specifies a particular method of sale, namely an auction.

can be liquidated

Focuses on converting assets into cash through selling.

can be traded

Suggests a broader exchange, not necessarily involving money.

is disposable

Indicates that something is available to be sold off or liquidated.

is up for grabs

An informal phrase indicating availability, but not necessarily for sale.

FAQs

What does "can be sold" mean?

"Can be sold" indicates that something is suitable, permissible, or available to be offered for sale or exchange for money.

What are some alternatives to "can be sold"?

Alternatives include "is available for purchase", "is marketable", or "is salable", depending on the context.

How do I use "can be sold" in a sentence?

You can use "can be sold" to describe items, products, or assets that have the potential to be sold. For example: "These items can be sold at the market."

Is it better to use active or passive voice instead of "can be sold"?

While "can be sold" is grammatically correct, using an active voice can sometimes be more direct. For example, instead of "The house can be sold quickly", consider "You can sell the house quickly" if you're addressing someone directly.