was auctioned off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was auctioned off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an item or property that has been sold to the highest bidder at an auction. Example: "The rare painting was auctioned off for a record price at the charity event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 1936 the ranch was auctioned off, the land divided.

The Economist

His nine-foot yawl was auctioned off to lobstermen.

The New Yorker

During a recent tour one baton was auctioned off for charity in each city.

The New Yorker

Everything was auctioned off — the Tiffany stained glass, the animal topiaries, the Oneida Pearl forks.

The New York Times - Magazine

One painting, by Gustave Courbet, was auctioned off – presumably to Gurlitt senior – as late as 1949.

The Guardian - Arts

He also donated a breeding right to Point Given, which was auctioned off for $125,000.

The New York Times - Sports

The last time Lewis Carroll's "Alice" manuscript was auctioned off, it brought $75,259.

The New Yorker

Until his extensive art collection was auctioned off after his death in 1953, few had even known of its existence.

The New York Times - Books

After the war the land they had cultivated was auctioned off or given to World War II veterans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Buckner's ball was auctioned off to actor Charlie Sheen for $94,000, which was where the trouble started.

The New Yorker

One such head was the subject of a bidding war between Chinese herbalists when it was auctioned off in March.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the sale of an item, specify the type of auction (e.g. charity auction, online auction) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice unnecessarily; ensure the subject performing the action is clear if using the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The painting was auctioned off," consider "The gallery auctioned off the painting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was auctioned off" functions as the passive voice of the verb phrase 'to auction off'. It indicates that an item or property was the object of an auction, where it was sold to the highest bidder. Ludwig confirms that this is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was auctioned off" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of selling something at an auction. Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples shows that it's most frequently used in news and media, encyclopedias and wiki. It's a neutral phrase suitable for various contexts, referring to the sale of an item to the highest bidder. Related phrases include "was sold at auction" and "was put up for auction". When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the item's sale through a bidding process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was sold at auction

Replaces the verb "auctioned off" with a more direct description of the selling process.

was auctioned

A shortened form of the original phrase, losing the sense of completion or finality.

was put up for auction

Focuses on the act of making something available for auction.

was up for sale at auction

Similar to 'was put up for auction', emphasizing its availability

was offered for sale via auction

A more formal and explicit alternative that specifies the method of sale.

was sold to the highest bidder

Emphasizes the competitive nature of the selling process, specifying how the item was sold.

was subject to auction

Indicates that the item was part of an auction process.

was vended at auction

A slightly less common but acceptable synonym using "vended" to mean sold.

was disposed of at auction

Highlights that the item was eliminated by auction.

went under the hammer

An idiomatic expression indicating that the item was sold at auction.

FAQs

How do I use "was auctioned off" in a sentence?

Use "was auctioned off" to describe something that /s/was+sold+at+auction to the highest bidder. For example, "The antique car was auctioned off for $1 million."

What are some alternatives to "was auctioned off"?

Alternatives include "was sold at auction", "was put up for auction", or "went under the hammer", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was auctioned" or "was auctioned off"?

"Was auctioned off" implies a completed action of selling something via auction. "Was auctioned" is also correct but doesn't carry the same sense of finality. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "was auctioned off" and "was sold"?

"Was sold" is a general term for transferring ownership for money. "Was auctioned off" specifies that the sale happened through an auction process involving bidding.