sold to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sold to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that an item or property has been transferred to someone in exchange for payment. Example: "The car was sold to him for a reasonable price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It was then that the doctor told me that these sutures were most probably counterfeit sutures that were sold to him". Sales of counterfeit medicines globally could exceed $75bn£50bnbn) a year, according to a US study done in 2013, putting health - and lives - at risk.

BBC

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

Harvard University

Will the dealership break out the costs of other the add-ons sold to him?

The New York Times

The intent of spyware is to monitor actions and behaviors on the computer and return that information to someone else, who can use it to predict what will interest the user so that products and services can be sold to him.

Combating Spyware in the Enterprise

Vavilov had sued the penthouse's developer, claiming that what was sold to him as the "epitome of luxury" was little more than an "attic-like space".

The Guardian - Business

Its complaint set forth the facts detailed above and further alleged that at the time of the collision the employee of the insured was driving a truck sold to him by the insured on a conditional sales contract.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Let's just sell to him.' And I completely agreed".

The New York Times - Magazine

He spends years developing relationships with small companies until they are willing to sell to him.

The New York Times

He can force no one to sell to him, he cannot prescribe the price which he shall pay.

Cornell University

Sir Martin admits that Y&R's refusal to sell to him restricts WPP to "small-potato deals".

The Economist

Mr. Trump is locked in a dispute with landowners who refuse to sell to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sold to him" when emphasizing that a transaction occurred where he was the recipient. This highlights his acquisition of something.

Common error

Avoid using "sold to him" unnecessarily when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The house was sold to him by the company", consider "The company sold him the house".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sold to him" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a male person was the recipient of a sale. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sold to him" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to indicate that a sale occurred with a male person as the recipient. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its presence across diverse sources like news media, academic papers, and scientific articles. While neutrally registered, more formal alternatives such as "transferred to him" may suit strictly formal contexts. When writing, prioritize clarity by explicitly stating what was sold and who the seller was, while avoiding overuse in place of active voice constructions. Ultimately, "sold to him" effectively conveys the transfer of ownership with a focus on the buyer's perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Purchased by him

Emphasizes the act of buying rather than the act of selling.

He bought it

A simplified, active voice version of the phrase.

Acquired by him

Suggests ownership was gained, possibly through means other than a simple sale.

Transferred to him

Focuses on the shift of ownership, without explicitly stating a sale.

He received it in a sale

Highlights the sale aspect from the receiver's point of view.

Conveyed to him

A more formal term for transferring ownership or rights.

He was the buyer

Focuses on his role as the purchaser.

Given to him in exchange for payment

Expands the phrase to explicitly describe the exchange of money for goods.

He took ownership of

Indicates the act of assuming control and possession.

He became the owner through purchase

A longer, more descriptive way to express the same idea.

FAQs

What does "sold to him" mean?

The phrase "sold to him" means that an item or property was transferred to a male person in exchange for money or something of value.

What is a more formal alternative to "sold to him"?

A more formal alternative to "sold to him" could be "transferred to him" or "conveyed to him", which emphasize the transfer of ownership in a formal context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "sold to him"?

Yes, "sold to him" is grammatically correct. It is a passive construction indicating that he was the recipient of a sale.

Can I use "sold to him" in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "sold to him" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though in some formal contexts, phrases like "purchased by him" may be preferred.