to be sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be sold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that is being offered to someone else in exchange for money. For example, "The house is being offered to the highest bidder, with the understanding that it will be sold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So it was to be sold.

The Economist

It is yet to be sold.

Independent

No one wants to be sold to.

The New York Times

The collection had to be sold.

The New York Times - Arts

Toxic foodstuffs continue to be sold.

The Economist

The theatre appeared to be sold out.

The New Yorker

Fifty-five thousand tickets were to be sold.

The New Yorker

The Green Investment Bank to be sold off.

Independent

[London] : are to be sold by Tho.

Stanford University

Excess electricity was assumed to be sold to the grid.

Algal Research

They are not supposed to be sold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be sold", ensure the context clearly indicates who is selling and who is potentially buying. This avoids ambiguity in understanding the transaction.

Common error

Avoid using "to be sold" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The product is to be sold by the company", consider "The company will sell the product."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be sold" functions primarily as a passive infinitive. It describes an action that will be performed on a subject by an unspecified actor. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be sold" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is available for purchase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using "to be sold", ensure clarity regarding who is selling and buying to avoid ambiguity. While it is generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. Remember that while alternatives exist, "to be sold" remains a clear and direct way to convey availability for purchase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for sale

This alternative is a common and concise way to indicate that something is available for purchase.

available for purchase

This alternative phrase is more formal and explicitly states the availability for buying something.

on the market

This alternative implies something is actively being offered for sale, often in a competitive environment.

intended for sale

This alternative phrase highlights the intention behind making something available for purchase.

being auctioned

This alternative suggests a sale through an auction process, where items are sold to the highest bidder.

to be auctioned off

Similar to "being auctioned", emphasizes the process of selling via auction.

up for grabs

This alternative is an informal expression meaning something is available and can be obtained, but not necessarily through a sale.

being offered

This alternative simply states that something is available, without explicitly mentioning a sale.

ready for acquisition

This alternative suggests something, typically a company or asset, is prepared to be bought by another entity.

slated for disposal

This alternative indicates that something is planned to be sold or otherwise removed from ownership.

FAQs

What does "to be sold" mean?

The phrase "to be sold" indicates that something is intended or available for purchase, meaning someone is offering it in exchange for money or another form of compensation.

How do I use "to be sold" in a sentence?

Use "to be sold" to describe items or assets that are available for purchase. For example, "The house is "for sale" and is expected "to be sold" quickly".

What are some alternatives to "to be sold"?

Alternatives include "available for purchase", "on the market", or "up for grabs", depending on the context.

Is "to be sold" formal or informal?

"To be sold" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "available for acquisition" might be preferred in certain business or legal settings.