used to sell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used to sell" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate a past action or habit that is no longer happening. For example, "This store used to sell books, but now it only sells clothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Capital used to sell us visions of tomorrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

We used to sell our timber to a middle man and he would pay us.

The Guardian

We used to sell to brokers because that was the only market available to us.

Huffington Post

"Used to sell hair grease.

The New Yorker

PETER KISBENEDEK used to sell insurance.

The Economist

Mr. Lajor used to sell only chicken.

The New York Times

We used to sell honey.

The Guardian

It used to sell for £500.

The Guardian - Tech

Clipse, you see, used to sell crack.

The Guardian - Music

— would be used to sell pickup trucks.

The Washington Post

Surely the space should be used to sell work?

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past business or activity, use "used to sell" to clearly indicate that the selling activity is no longer ongoing.

Common error

Ensure you include the 'd' at the end of "used" when indicating a past habit or state. "Use to sell" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to sell" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past habitual action or state that is no longer true in the present. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "used to sell" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe past selling activities or businesses that are no longer ongoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely applicable. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and formal business contexts. Remember to include the 'd' in "used" to avoid grammatical errors. Consider alternatives like "previously sold" or "formerly marketed" to vary your writing. The phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts to effectively convey past selling practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sold in the past

A simple and direct way of stating that something was sold at an earlier time.

previously sold

Focuses on the act of selling in the past, without necessarily implying a discontinued activity.

formerly marketed

More formal, implies a structured effort to promote and sell.

once retailed

Emphasizes the retail aspect of selling in the past.

dealt in

Implies a business or regular activity of selling specific goods.

had a business selling

Indicates a past business venture focused on selling.

offered for sale previously

Highlights the act of offering something for sale in the past.

at one time traded

Highlights the act of trading or bartering in the past.

distributed in the past

Focuses on the distribution aspect of selling, implying a wider network.

used to vend

A more archaic or formal way of saying "used to sell".

FAQs

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

Use "used to sell" to describe a past activity of selling that no longer occurs. For example, "My grandfather "used to sell" antiques."

What's the difference between "used to sell" and "sold"?

"Used to sell" implies a repeated action or a state that existed over a period in the past, while "sold" simply indicates a completed transaction. For example, "He "used to sell" newspapers" suggests he regularly sold them, whereas "He sold a newspaper" means he completed one sale.

Are there synonyms for "used to sell" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "previously sold", "formerly marketed", or "once retailed", depending on the context.

Is "used to selling" grammatically correct?

Yes, "used to selling" is grammatically correct, but it has a different meaning. It means 'accustomed to selling'. The phrase "used to sell", with the infinitive form, indicates a past habit, whereas "used to selling" implies being familiar or accustomed to the activity of selling.