sold out

USAGE SUMMARY

"sold out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has completely sold out of inventory or no longer available to purchase. For example, "Tickets for the popular concert were sold out within an hour of going on sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We got sold out".

The New York Times

He sold out again.

The New York Times

"Think it's sold out".

The Guardian

"We feel sold out".

The New York Times

She had "sold out".

The New Yorker

"I had sold out!

The New Yorker

Catalogs sold out days earlier.

The New York Times

I sold out long ago.

The New York Times - Arts

The shows sold out immediately.

The New Yorker

"We sold out by noon".

The New Yorker

Were key pieces sold out?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sold out" to create a sense of urgency, implying high demand and encouraging quick action in the future.

Common error

Avoid saying something is "sold out" if it's just temporarily unavailable. Instead, specify 'temporarily out of stock' or provide a restock date to maintain transparency and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sold out" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that no more of that item is available for purchase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English. The examples showcase its common use in describing the availability of tickets, products, and events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sold out" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to describe the unavailability of an item due to complete purchase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts. Its usage spans from formal business announcements to informal conversations, signaling high demand or popularity. Related phrases such as "out of stock" or "completely booked" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific context. Remember to specify if the item is temporarily unavailable to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of stock

Specifically indicates that a product is not currently available.

completely booked

This alternative focuses on the booking aspect, suitable for events or services.

fully reserved

Similar to "completely booked" but emphasizes reservation.

all gone

A simple, informal way of saying nothing is left.

at capacity

Used when a venue or event has reached its maximum limit.

unavailable

A more general term indicating something cannot be obtained or accessed.

no longer available

A formal way to state that something is not currently obtainable.

nothing left

Emphasizes the complete absence of the item.

all purchased

Highlights the act of buying everything that was available.

exhausted supply

Indicates the supply has been completely used up.

FAQs

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

You can use "sold out" to indicate that there are no more items available for purchase. For example, "The concert tickets were "sold out" within minutes".

What's another way to say "sold out"?

Alternatives to "sold out" include "out of stock", "completely booked", or "unavailable", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sold out of" something?

Yes, it is correct to say "sold out of" something. For example, "We are "sold out" of the blue shirts".

What does it mean when something is "sold out"?

When something is "sold out", it means that all available units have been purchased and there are none left for sale at that time. It often implies high demand.