it was selling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was selling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something was in the process of being sold or was available for sale in the past. Example: "During the summer sale, it was selling faster than we could restock the shelves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, GM said it was selling its 20% stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, a Japanese carmaker.

The Economist

Last week, Comcast said it was selling its 57.5% interest in the channel to Liberty.

Forbes

HSBC also said it was selling Springleaf its loan servicing facility in London, Ky.

The New York Times

The book hadn't earned back its advance over 11 years, and suddenly it was selling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kerrisdale publicly announced that it was selling Sage short, betting that its shares would drop.

Forbes

It was selling managed investment schemes — investments in its properties.

The New York Times

It was selling experiences.

The New York Times

After the Greeks, it was selling something.

The New York Times

He denied it was selling passports.

The Guardian

It was selling for £100 a gram.

The Guardian

"It was selling extremely well before the Pulitzer," Simonoff says.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past trend or situation, use "it was selling" to indicate a continuous action in the past. For example, "Back in the 90s, "it was selling" like crazy" is more descriptive than "it sold".

Common error

Avoid using "it is selling" when you want to talk about the past. "It is selling" indicates a present or ongoing action. Use "it was selling" for past continuous actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was selling" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an ongoing action of selling something at a specific time in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was selling" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of selling something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in describing past market trends or sales figures. With a neutral register, it fits well in both formal and informal communications. The phrase frequently appears in News & Media sources, emphasizing its role in reporting past sales performance. To avoid confusion, ensure you use it to describe continuous past actions and not mistake it for present or future tenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it sold

Simple past tense, indicating a completed action of selling.

it had sales of

Focuses on the sales figures rather than the act of selling.

it retailed for

Emphasizes the price at which it was sold.

it was marketed at

Highlights the marketing aspect and the intended price.

it shifted units

Informal way of saying that the item was sold.

it moved quickly

Indicates that the item was sold fast.

it found buyers

Focuses on the fact that there were people buying it.

it cleared stock

Suggests that they were getting rid of a lot of it.

it had a good run

Implies that the item was sold for a good amount of time.

it proved popular

Emphasizes the item's popularity during its selling period.

FAQs

How can I use "it was selling" in a sentence?

Use "it was selling" to describe something that was being sold continuously or repeatedly in the past. For example, "The new phone "it was selling" incredibly well during the holiday season".

What are some alternatives to "it was selling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it sold", "it retailed for", or "it was being sold".

What's the difference between "it was selling" and "it sold"?

"It was selling" describes a continuous action in the past, while "it sold" describes a completed action. For instance, "it was selling" well implies ongoing sales, while "it sold" well suggests overall sales performance.

Is "it was selling" formal or informal?

"It was selling" is generally neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, particularly when describing past market trends or sales figures.