got sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got sold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was sold, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The old car finally got sold after being listed for several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We got sold out".

The New York Times

How many books got sold?

The New York Times

"I got sold the dream," he says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Furniture got sold and painters painted.

The New York Times

They all got sold years ago.

The New Yorker

He now says, "I got sold a bill of goods.

The New Yorker

About 500 stood outside chanting: "We got sold out.

The New York Times

"We got sold out; the banks got bailed out".

The New York Times

"I was really hurt when it got sold.

The New York Times

The centre-back who was not for sale got sold.

The Guardian - Sport

Their whole library got sold to one company, then another company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got sold" to indicate a completed transaction, especially when emphasizing the result or consequence of the sale. For example: "The company got sold, and many employees lost their jobs."

Common error

Avoid using "got sold" when you mean to describe the act of selling, which requires a continuous tense like "was selling". "Got sold" refers to the completion of the sale, not the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got sold" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was the recipient of the action of selling. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction, typically used to describe a completed transaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "got sold" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that something has been sold. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to note that it carries a slightly informal tone compared to alternatives like "was sold". It's predominantly found in News & Media contexts, suggesting its wide acceptance in reporting and general communication. When writing, be mindful of the intended audience and context to determine if the slightly more formal "was sold" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was purchased

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of buying.

was acquired

Suggests a more formal or corporate takeover.

was traded

Implies an exchange of goods or services.

was exchanged

Highlights the act of swapping something.

was conned

Suggests deception in the transaction.

was swindled

Stronger emphasis on being cheated.

was duped

Highlights being tricked into a sale.

was marketed

Focuses on the promotional aspect of the sale.

was auctioned

Specifies a public sale format.

was disposed of

Indicates getting rid of something, not necessarily through sale.

FAQs

What does "got sold" mean?

"Got sold" means that something has been transferred to a new owner in exchange for money or something else of value. It implies the completion of a transaction.

When is it appropriate to use "got sold" instead of "was sold"?

Both "got sold" and "was sold" can be used to indicate that something has been sold. "Got sold" is more informal and emphasizes the result, whereas "was sold" is more neutral.

What are some alternatives to "got sold"?

You can use alternatives like "was purchased", "was acquired", or "was traded" depending on the context.

Is "got sold" grammatically correct?

Yes, "got sold" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, although it is considered less formal than "was sold".