it was sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was sold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an item or property has been sold in the past. Example: "The painting was sold at auction for a record price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luckily, it was sold".

The New Yorker

Eventually it was sold.

The New York Times

It was sold a few years ago.

The New York Times

(By 3 p.m. it was sold out).

The New York Times - Tech

It was sold on consignment in California.

The New York Times

It was sold for 243,000 francs.

The New York Times

It was bought and it was sold.

The New York Times

It was sold soon after.

The New York Times

It was sold in 1960.

The New York Times

Tellingly, it was sold only in China.

The New Yorker

It was sold to him by defendant G.I. Joe's.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was sold", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject early in the sentence or paragraph.

Common error

Avoid using "it was sold" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "It was sold by the company", consider "The company sold it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was sold" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something underwent a transaction where it was transferred to a buyer. This construction is commonly used when the actor performing the action (the seller) is unknown or less important than the object being acted upon (the item sold). As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was sold" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe a completed transaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English writing. Its frequency across diverse sources, ranging from news media to academic papers, underscores its wide applicability. While alternatives like "it was purchased" or "it was acquired" offer subtle shifts in emphasis, "it was sold" remains a clear and effective way to communicate that an item or entity has changed ownership. When using it, be mindful of context to ensure clarity and consider whether an active voice construction might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was purchased

Replaces 'sold' with 'purchased', focusing on the buyer's action rather than the seller's.

it was acquired

Implies a formal transfer of ownership, often used in business contexts.

it found a buyer

Highlights the act of finding someone to buy the item.

a transaction took place

Focuses on the event of the transaction rather than the item itself.

ownership was transferred

Emphasizes the change in ownership status.

it changed hands

Suggests a transfer of possession, often informally.

it was disposed of

Indicates that the item was gotten rid of, which may or may not involve a sale.

it was auctioned off

Specifies the method of sale as an auction.

it was put on the market and sold

Adds context by specifying the initial offering and the final sale.

there was a sale

Shifts the emphasis to the event of the sale.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it was sold" is used to indicate that something has been purchased by someone. For example: "The painting was sold at auction" or "The company was sold to a competitor".

What can I say instead of "it was sold"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was purchased", "it was acquired", or "ownership was transferred" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it was sold" or "it sold"?

Saying "it was sold" emphasizes the passive voice, focusing on the item rather than the seller. "It sold" is more direct, but less common and potentially ambiguous without further context.

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

"It was sold" refers to a specific point in the past, while "it has been sold" implies a completed action with relevance to the present. For example, "It was sold last year" vs. "It has been sold, so it's no longer available".