we were sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were sold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something was sold to another party, often implying a sense of being transferred or given away. Example: "After much deliberation, we were sold to the highest bidder at the auction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We were sold out constantly," she said.

The New York Times

We were sold down the river.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is what we were sold.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We were sold out of things.

The Guardian

Because we were sold – and believed – the fairytale.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I wish we were sold out until 2010," he said.

The New York Times

We were sold out for $70 a share".

The New York Times

My view is that we were sold a dummy".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We were selling more".

The New York Times

We were selling up until curtain".

The New York Times

"You'd think we were selling cocaine".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were sold" when you want to convey a sense of being deceived or manipulated into accepting something. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the selling and what was sold.

Common error

Avoid using "we were sold" when you mean "we sold." The passive voice indicates that something was done to you, not by you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were sold" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group was the recipient of an action. According to Ludwig, this implies being transferred, deceived, or convinced to accept something. It highlights the experience of being acted upon rather than initiating the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were sold" is a common passive construction, primarily used to express a sense of deception, manipulation, or being influenced into accepting something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in neutral contexts, especially in News & Media. The phrase implies that a group was the recipient of an action. When using "we were sold", it's important to ensure the context makes clear who or what did the selling and what was sold, avoiding the mistake of confusing it with the active voice "we sold". Related phrases include "we were deceived" and "we were duped", each offering a slightly different shade of meaning. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's validity and frequent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were deceived

Focuses on the act of being misled rather than the transaction.

we were conned

Implies a deliberate and skillful deception.

we were duped

Emphasizes the naivety of those who were deceived.

we were swindled

Highlights the financial loss or fraud involved.

we were persuaded

Suggests influence rather than outright deception.

we were convinced

Implies a strong belief in something that may not be true.

we were influenced

Indicates a subtle form of persuasion.

we were given

Highlights the reception of something, possibly unwanted.

we were presented with

Formally introduces what was offered or given.

we were transferred

Emphasizes a change of ownership or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "we were sold" in a sentence?

You can use "we were sold" to express that a group was deceived or manipulated into accepting something, as in "we were sold a lie" about the product's capabilities.

What does "we were sold a bill of goods" mean?

The phrase "we were sold a bill of goods" means that someone was deceived or misled, usually into buying something that is not as good as it was represented to be.

What can I say instead of "we were sold" to indicate deception?

Alternatives include "we were deceived", "we were duped", or "we were misled", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "we were sold on" the same as "we were sold"?

"We were sold on" means that you were convinced of something's merits, while "we were sold" generally implies deception or manipulation. The addition of "on" shifts the meaning from deception to acceptance.