it sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a product or item has been sold, often in the context of sales reports or discussions about market performance. Example: "The new smartphone model was released last month, and it sold exceptionally well during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Style

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It sold for £18.8m.

The Guardian - Arts

It sold.

The New York Times - Books

It sold out.

The New York Times

It sold cars.

The New Yorker

Yeah, it sold out.

The New Yorker

It sold like flaxseed.

The New Yorker

It sold a ton.

The New Yorker

First it sold books.

The New York Times

It sold poorly.

The New York Times - Books

But it sold magazines.

The New Yorker

Happily, it sold right away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the quantity or value, follow "it sold" with precise details. For example, "it sold 1 million copies" or "it sold for $5000".

Common error

Ensure that the referent of "it" is clear in your writing. If the context doesn't immediately identify what "it" refers to, rewrite the sentence to specify the item that was sold.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sold" functions as a concise statement in the simple past tense, affirming the completion of a sales transaction. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to report a sale.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Style

4%

Books

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sold" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a sale has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across diverse sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the referent of "it" and include specific details about quantity or value for increased precision. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral or informal contexts, commonly appearing in news, media, and general reporting. Remember to consider alternatives based on the nuance you want to convey, such as "it was purchased" or "it found a buyer".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was purchased

Replaces the active voice verb with a passive construction, focusing on the object that was sold.

it changed hands

Indicates a transfer of ownership from seller to buyer.

it found a buyer

Highlights the successful matching of the item with a purchaser.

it was marketed

Focuses on the act of promoting the item before it was sold.

it retailed

Emphasizes the price at which the item was offered for sale.

a buyer bought it

Focuses on the buyer's action rather than the item's fate.

it saw sales

Indicates that the item experienced a period of successful sales activity.

it cleared

Implies that the item was part of a larger inventory that was successfully sold off.

it moved

Similar to 'shifted', suggesting the item was successfully sold and removed from inventory.

it shifted

Describes the movement of the item from the seller's stock to a buyer.

FAQs

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

You can use "it sold" to indicate that a product or item has been successfully sold. For example, "The painting was highly anticipated, and "it sold" for a record price at auction".

What are some alternatives to saying "it sold"?

Alternatives include "it was purchased", "it was marketed", or "it found a buyer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it sold" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it sold" is grammatically correct. It is a simple past tense statement indicating that something has been successfully sold.

What does "it sold out" mean?

"It sold out" means that all available units of a particular item have been sold and there are no more available for purchase.