the consignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the consignment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a batch of goods or items that are sent or delivered, often in a commercial context. Example: "The consignment of books arrived at the warehouse yesterday and is ready for distribution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Typically, consigners are paid by check at the end of the consignment period, but other stores may pay in cash or offer store credit.

WikiHow

To the consignment store".

The New Yorker

The consignment has stirred up some controversy.

The New York Times - Arts

Most of all, they need buyers for the consignment.

The Economist

The consignment store wins by "bringing them together".

The Guardian - Business

"I sent my designer clothes to the consignment shop".

The New York Times - Style

"Talk about timing," Ms. Stockman said of the consignment.

The New York Times - Arts

But the consignment and bidding stories behind these star Warhols vary greatly.

The Economist

"The same kind of phenomenon can happen in the consignment store".

The Guardian - Business

By mistake, a fresh water eel had slipped into the consignment.

The New Yorker

Shortly after the consignment arrived, the officer who had sent them got a phone call.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about commercial transactions, use "the consignment" to specifically refer to goods that are sent for sale where the seller retains ownership until the goods are sold. This differentiates it from a direct sale.

Common error

Avoid using "the consignment" when referring to a standard purchase. This term implies that the sender still retains ownership of the goods until they are sold, unlike a regular sale where ownership transfers immediately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the consignment" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes a collection of goods sent or delivered. Examples show it referring to shipments of art, goods for sale, or supplies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the consignment" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a collection of goods sent for a specific purpose, most often for sale where the original owner retains ownership until the goods are sold. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the implications of ownership and ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning. Alternatives like "the shipment" or "the delivery" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the shipment

Focuses more directly on the act of shipping goods.

the delivery

Emphasizes the act of delivering goods to a destination.

the load

Refers to the quantity of goods being transported.

the cargo

Highlights the goods being transported, especially by sea or air.

the freight

Indicates the goods being transported for commercial purposes.

the dispatch

Focuses on the act of sending goods off.

the transfer

Emphasizes the movement of goods from one place to another.

the batch

Refers to a specific quantity of goods produced or delivered at one time.

the shipment of goods

More verbose, specifying that it is a shipment of goods.

the transported items

Focuses on the items themselves as they are being moved.

FAQs

How can I use "the consignment" in a sentence?

"The consignment" is used to refer to a batch of goods sent for sale, where the seller retains ownership until sold. For example, "The gallery received "the consignment" of paintings from the artist."

What can I say instead of "the consignment"?

Alternatives include "the shipment", "the delivery", or "the load", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "consignment" to refer to a single item?

While "consignment" typically refers to a batch of goods, it can sometimes refer to a single, valuable item, especially in art or luxury goods. However, using a term like "item on consignment" might be clearer.

What is the difference between "the consignment" and "the shipment"?

"The shipment" generally refers to the act of sending goods, while "the consignment" refers to the goods themselves, specifically those sent for sale with retained ownership.