looking to sell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking to sell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is trying to find a buyer for an item or service. For example: "I'm looking to sell my old car to raise money for a new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now he's looking to sell.

The New York Times

But they're not always looking to sell.

The Washington Post

"We weren't looking to sell the company.

The Guardian - Business

"We're not looking to sell anybody".

The Guardian - Sport

We are not looking to sell".

The Guardian - Sport

"He wasn't looking to sell it".

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Kropf said he was looking to sell his store.

The New York Times

It's looking to sell off whatever it can sell off.

The Guardian

I'm looking to sell them on the street".

The Guardian

They're probably looking to sell a new book.

The Guardian - Sport

Should I be looking to sell them, or hold on?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking to sell" when describing a current intention or active effort to find a buyer for something. It implies a proactive approach to selling.

Common error

Avoid using "looking to sell" when describing a completed action. Instead, use phrases like "sold" or "managed to sell" to indicate a successful transaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking to sell" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically an infinitive phrase, indicating a future action or intention. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct. It commonly modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information about their plans or desires. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across a range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking to sell" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an intention to sell something. It's versatile, fitting well in neutral and professional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While alternatives like "intending to sell" exist, "looking to sell" clearly conveys an active effort to find a buyer. Remember to use the base form of the verb after "to" and avoid using it to describe completed actions. With a wealth of examples from reputable sources, Ludwig illustrates the phrase's consistent application across varied scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intending to sell

Focuses more on the intent rather than the immediate action of selling.

planning to sell

Highlights the planned or scheduled nature of the sale.

aiming to sell

Emphasizes the goal or objective of selling.

seeking to sell

Suggests an active search for a buyer or opportunity to sell.

wanting to sell

A more direct and straightforward expression of the desire to sell.

considering selling

Indicates a stage of contemplation or evaluation before deciding to sell.

on the verge of selling

Implies that the sale is imminent or very close to happening.

preparing to sell

Focuses on the actions taken to get ready for the sale.

about to sell

Indicates the sale is going to happen in very near future.

hoping to sell

Expresses a wish or desire to sell, without implying certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "looking to sell" in a sentence?

You can use "looking to sell" to describe someone's current intention to sell something, as in "He is looking to sell his car".

What are some alternatives to "looking to sell"?

Alternatives include "intending to sell", "planning to sell", or "aiming to sell", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I'm looking to selling"?

No, the correct form is "I'm looking to sell". The phrase "looking to" is followed by the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "looking to sell" and "selling"?

"Looking to sell" implies an intention or desire to sell, while "selling" describes the actual act of selling. For example, "He is looking to sell his house" means he wants to sell it, but "He is selling his house" means the process is underway.