items were sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "items were sold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that certain products or goods have been sold in the past. Example: "During the sale, a large number of items were sold, exceeding our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Several items were sold on Craigslist and other Web sites.

The New York Times - Sports

Shelves were packed with winter coats and thick woollen jumpers, while lighter items were sold out.

Independent

Some of the items were sold on Craigslist and elsewhere, and the police suspect there may be more items missing.

The New York Times - Sports

Some women's apparel items were sold out, bolstering the notion that women were buying for themselves again.

The New York Times

As the crisis dragged on, the items were sold off in France - except for the truffle, which was destined for a party in Bangkok next Sunday Dec. 7.

The New York Times

The OFT found that during its monitoring of the six companies, just 5% of items were sold at the non-sale price.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

A couple of years ago, she began checking out which Foley & Corinna items were selling on eBay.

The New York Times

The choicest items are sold at auction.

The Economist

All the items are sold frozen but thaw beautifully.

The New York Times - Food

Amazon has no auctions — all items are sold at fixed prices — and automatically sets the shipping fees depending on the item being sold.

The New York Times

The items being sold are not contraband nor are they uncut controlled substances.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "items were sold" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the products rather than the seller. For example: "After the promotion, the "items were sold" at a discounted price to clear inventory."

Common error

Avoid using "items were sold" in situations where active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of saying "The items were sold by the company", consider "The company sold the items" for a clearer message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "items were sold" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the items are the recipients of the action of selling. The agent performing the action is either unknown or not emphasized. Ludwig AI confirms that is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "items were sold" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that emphasizes the products rather than the seller, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, including news reporting, encyclopedic content, scientific research, and business communication. Ludwig's analysis reveals that "items were sold" appears most often in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Science" contexts. Related phrases like "goods were marketed" and "merchandise was purchased" offer alternative ways to express the concept with subtle differences in emphasis. A key writing guidance is to ensure the passive voice is appropriate and does not obscure the clarity of the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goods were marketed

This alternative emphasizes the marketing aspect of selling, focusing on how the goods were presented to potential buyers.

products were traded

Trading implies a more reciprocal exchange, differing from a simple sale.

articles were retailed

This specifies that the items were sold through retail channels.

merchandise was purchased

This shifts the focus to the buyer's action, rather than the seller's.

commodities were exchanged

A more formal way to describe the sale of raw materials or primary agricultural products.

inventory was cleared

This suggests selling off existing stock, often at reduced prices.

stock was liquidated

This phrase indicates a sale to convert assets into cash, often implying urgency or financial need.

output was distributed

This focuses on the distribution aspect of the process, highlighting how the items reached consumers.

assets were divested

This suggests a formal business transaction to dispose of assets, often on a large scale.

wares were peddled

Implies selling goods, often door-to-door or in a less formal setting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "items were sold" to be more specific?

To be more specific, you can replace "items were sold" with phrases like "products were marketed", or "goods were traded", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "items were sold" and "items were purchased"?

"Items were sold" focuses on the seller's action, indicating that the seller completed a transaction. "Items were purchased" focuses on the buyer's action, highlighting that the buyer acquired something. They are two sides of the same transaction.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a sale?

It depends on the focus. Use active voice (e.g., "The company sold the items") to emphasize the actor (the company). Use passive voice ("items were sold") to emphasize the items themselves or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What are some contexts where the phrase "items were sold" is commonly used?

The phrase "items were sold" is commonly used in business reports, news articles about retail sales, and inventory management discussions. It's suitable for any situation where you need to report on the sale of goods or products.