it could be sold

USAGE SUMMARY

"it could be sold" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that can be bought or traded, such as a product, service, or property. For example: "The old castle is in great condition, it could be sold for a high price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

BBC Worldwide would be limited to promoting its products and parts of it could be sold off.

The Guardian

In 1978, American hired him to turn around its Americana Hotels chain so it could be sold.

The New York Times

Corning executives said yesterday that most of its inventory would become obsolete before it could be sold.

The New York Times

After its age was confirmed, the British Museum said it could be sold privately as it was found before the 1996 Treasure Act was passed.

BBC

Mr. Shanks decided to write a pamphlet about the tunnel with the idea that it could be sold at a nominal price at its entrance.

The New York Times

A1 A Challenge for New AOL As a struggling America Online introduces a free Internet portal, its position within Time Warner is in question, with speculation increasing that it could be sold.

The New York Times

Furthermore, he added, the agent had told his friend that it could be sold without tenants.

The New York Times

It proposed that a third of it could be sold immediately.

The New York Times - Magazine

Though the Nazis had declared the art worthless, they found that it could be sold.

The New York Times - Arts

Today it could be sold for a lot more than that.

The New Yorker

Or it could be sold to other Western buyers at sky-high prices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it could be sold", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid overstating the likelihood of a sale. "It could be sold" implies possibility, not certainty. If a sale is highly probable, consider using stronger language, such as "it is likely to be sold".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be sold" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for something to be transferred in exchange for payment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could be sold" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the potential for a sale. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and avoid overstating the likelihood of a sale. Consider alternatives like "it might be sold" or "it may be sold" to fine-tune the degree of certainty. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might be sold

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating a slightly lower probability.

it may be sold

Substitutes "could" with "may", suggesting a possibility but not a certainty.

it can be sold

Uses "can" instead of "could", implying a general possibility or ability.

it is possible to sell it

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the possibility of selling.

it is able to be sold

Focuses on the ability to sell the item, highlighting its sellability.

it is available for sale

Emphasizes that the item is currently on the market and ready to be sold.

selling it is a possibility

Highlights the action of selling as a potential outcome.

a sale is conceivable

Uses more formal language to express the possibility of a sale.

a buyer might be found

Shifts the focus to finding a buyer for the item.

it's potentially marketable

Indicates the item has characteristics that make it suitable for sale.

FAQs

How can I use "it could be sold" in a sentence?

You can use "it could be sold" to indicate that something has the potential to be sold, for example, "The antique is in good condition; "it could be sold" for a high price."

What can I say instead of "it could be sold"?

Alternatives include "it might be sold", "it may be sold", or "it can be sold", depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it could be sold" or "it could sell"?

"It could be sold" is correct when referring to something being sold by someone. "It could sell" implies that the item itself has the ability to sell well, which is different in meaning.

What is the difference between "it could be sold" and "it will be sold"?

"It could be sold" indicates a possibility, while "it will be sold" indicates a future certainty. The former expresses a potential action, and the latter expresses a planned or definite action.