supposed to sell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to sell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an expectation or obligation regarding selling something. Example: "The new product is supposed to sell well during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you're in sales, you're supposed to sell something.

The New York Times

"I've always wondered how the heck men are supposed to sell hosiery," he said.

The New Yorker

The new model says that in the future I'm not supposed to sell music: I'm supposed to sell concert tickets and tshirts.

The Guardian - Tech

The Greek government was supposed to sell some assets to retire some of the debt.

The Washington Post

You were supposed to sell the cow for money!" Great fun.

The Guardian - Tech

Spanish banks are supposed to sell the property for the best price they can get.

The Guardian - Money

Commercials are supposed to sell you something, and therefore must be bad.

The Guardian

Penthouse suites were supposed to sell for $3,000 per square foot.

The Guardian - Business

Liu knew he wasn't supposed to sell the scarves for anything less than $6.50.

The New York Times

"I keep forgetting to bring in the Goldfish and Ritz crackers I'm supposed to sell.

The New York Times

How are we supposed to sell advertising with numbers like that?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposed to sell", ensure clarity regarding who is expected to sell and what they are expected to sell. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to sell" when you actually mean "allowed to sell" or "permitted to sell". "Supposed" implies an expectation or obligation, not necessarily permission. Using the wrong term can alter the meaning entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to sell" functions as a modal construction indicating expectation, obligation, or requirement. It combines the auxiliary verb "supposed" with the infinitive form of the verb "sell" to express that someone or something is expected to perform the action of selling. As Ludwig AI describes, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to sell" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate an expectation, obligation, or requirement regarding the act of selling. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in various contexts, particularly within news and media sources. While versatile, it's important to distinguish its meaning from similar phrases like "allowed to sell", which implies permission rather than obligation. When using "supposed to sell", ensure clarity regarding the subject and object of the sale to avoid any ambiguity. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate expectations and intentions related to sales in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to sell

Emphasizes intention or design for selling.

intended to sell

Highlights the purpose or goal of selling.

expected to sell

Focuses on anticipation or prediction of sales.

obligated to sell

Stresses the duty or requirement to sell.

required to sell

Highlights the necessity or compulsion to sell.

tasked with selling

Indicates the assignment or responsibility of selling.

designated for sale

Emphasizes that something has been officially selected or marked to be sold.

planned for sale

Focuses on that something was devised in the sales plan.

set to be sold

Highlights the readiness or preparation for selling.

due to be sold

Indicates a scheduled or imminent sale.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to sell" to indicate an expectation or obligation, as in "The company is supposed to sell 1000 units this quarter" or "Employees are supposed to sell raffle tickets for the charity event".

What's a good alternative to "supposed to sell"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "meant to sell", "intended to sell", or "expected to sell". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize intention, or expectation.

Is it ever incorrect to use "supposed to sell"?

While grammatically correct, "supposed to sell" might be misleading if you actually mean someone is allowed to sell something. "Supposed" implies an obligation, not necessarily permission.

What is the difference between "supposed to sell" and "allowed to sell"?

"Supposed to sell" indicates an expectation or obligation, while "allowed to sell" indicates permission. For example, "He's supposed to sell the car" implies he has a duty to do so. "He's allowed to sell the car" means he has permission but no obligation.