sold separately

USAGE SUMMARY

"sold separately" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that multiple items are being sold independently of each other. For example: "These four items are available for purchase, but must be bought separately - batteries are sold separately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is sold separately.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Stakes are sold separately.

The New York Times

Gatorade and Advil sold separately.

The New York Times

Helmet, presumably, is sold separately.

The New York Times

Note: mattresses are sold separately.

Independent

Other experiences are sold separately.

The New York Times - Travel

(The mattress is sold separately).

The New York Times

Cloud over head sold separately.

The New York Times

Dismembered patrons presumably sold separately.

The Guardian - Film

Food and beverages will be sold separately.

The New York Times

Will that be included, or sold separately?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sold separately" to clearly inform customers that certain items are not included in a main product offering and must be purchased individually. This avoids confusion and manages expectations.

Common error

Don't assume customers will know an item isn't included. Always explicitly state "sold separately" to prevent misunderstandings and potential returns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sold separately" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically describing how an item is sold in relation to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it clearly communicates that items are not included together and must be purchased independently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

7%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sold separately" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to clarify that an item is not included with a main product and must be purchased independently. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources and Academia. To ensure clarity, always explicitly state "sold separately" to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives include "available individually" and "must be purchased separately". This simple phrase plays a crucial role in managing customer expectations and preventing confusion in commercial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be purchased separately

Highlights the requirement to buy the item on its own.

each item is sold independently

Stresses the independent sale of each individual item.

can be bought separately

Indicates the option to acquire the item independently.

requires separate purchase

Highlights the need for an additional transaction.

available individually

Emphasizes the independent availability of each item.

additional purchase required

Another way to say a separate purchase needs to happen to get all the items.

offered as a separate item

Focuses on the item being presented as a distinct product.

not sold as a set

Clarifies that the items are not available as a pre-packaged combination.

not part of the package

Confirms that the item is excluded from the main offering.

not included

Directly states that the item is not part of a set or package.

FAQs

What does "sold separately" mean?

The phrase "sold separately" indicates that an item is not included with the primary product and must be purchased in addition to it.

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

You might say, "The base model comes with limited features; additional functions are "available individually"" or "Batteries are "not included" and must be purchased "separately"".

Is it better to say "sold separately" or "must be purchased separately"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "sold separately" is more concise. "Must be purchased separately" emphasizes the requirement of a separate transaction.

What are some common items that are often "sold separately"?

Common examples include accessories for electronics, such as chargers or cases, and components for furniture, like mattresses or cushions.