up for auction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "up for auction" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an item is being offered for sale through an auction process. Example: "The rare painting is now up for auction at the gallery this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Handwritten Fitzgerald poetry goes up for auction.

The New Yorker

They rarely come up for auction.

The Economist

Few Titians come up for auction.

The New York Times - Arts

A Wyoming town goes up for auction.

The New York Times

Congress is clearly up for auction.

The New York Times

Then he put it up for auction.

The New York Times - Arts

The company is up for auction.

The New York Times

A signed copy of "Mein Kampf" is up for auction.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Hepburn, Audrey Her 1954 Oscar dress will go up for auction on Nov. 29.

The New York Times

[Up For Auction: A Natural History Gallery].

Huffington Post

There were 10,000 items up for auction.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up for auction" when you want to clearly state that an item or property is being sold through an auction process. This phrase is widely understood and suitable for various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "up for auction" if the item is being sold through a different method, such as a fixed price or negotiation. The phrase specifically indicates an auction-based sale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up for auction" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something is being offered for sale through a bidding process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "up for auction" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that an item or service is being sold through an auction. It is versatile and appears across various registers, from news reports to academic discussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing the concept of an auction sale. Alternative phrases such as "available for bidding" or "on the auction block" can be used to achieve different stylistic nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available for bidding

Focuses specifically on the act of bidding, common in auction settings.

on the auction block

Emphasizes the physical or metaphorical space where items are auctioned.

going under the hammer

A more traditional, evocative way to describe an auction sale.

being auctioned off

Highlights the process of the auction itself.

for sale at auction

Directly states the item is for sale with the specific method mentioned.

offered at auction

Similar to "for sale at auction", but emphasizes the offering.

up for grabs

More informal, implying general availability, not necessarily an auction.

available for purchase

General availability without specifying the auction method.

on offer

A broader term meaning something is being presented to potential buyers.

being liquidated

Implies a forced sale, often including auctions, to convert assets to cash.

FAQs

How to use "up for auction" in a sentence?

You can use "up for auction" to describe an item or property that is being sold through an auction. For example: "The painting is "up for auction" next week."

What can I say instead of "up for auction"?

You can use alternatives like "available for bidding", "on the auction block", or "going under the hammer" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "up for auction" or "for auction"?

"Up for auction" is more common and idiomatic. "For auction" is grammatically correct but less frequently used. Therefore, ""up for auction"" is preferred.

What's the difference between "up for auction" and "for sale"?

"Up for auction" specifies that the item is being sold through an auction process, while "for sale" is a general term indicating that an item is available for purchase through any method. If something is "up for auction", it is specifically for sale through the bidding process.