were sold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were sold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing items that have been sold in the past. Example: "The last of the tickets were sold within minutes of going on sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

T-shirts were sold.

The New York Times - Sports

(None of them were sold).

The New Yorker

But most Americans were sold.

The New York Times

Ten thousand tickets were sold.

The New Yorker

How many were sold?

The Guardian - Tech

Few copies were sold.

The New York Times - Books

Millions were sold.

The New York Times

Tours were sold out.

The New York Times

Both were sold.

The New York Times - Sports

Thunderbird souvenirs were sold.

The New York Times

No tickets were sold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were sold", ensure the context clearly indicates what was sold and by whom, as clarity enhances understanding and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were sold" with a singular subject. For example, instead of "The book were sold", write "The book was sold".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were sold" functions primarily as the passive voice of the verb "sell", indicating that an action was performed upon a subject. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use in describing a completed transaction where items changed ownership for value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were sold" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe completed sales transactions. Ludwig AI indicates that it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. While its register is generally neutral, the specific context dictates the level of formality. When writing, ensure that the subject-verb agreement is correct and that the context clearly indicates what was sold. Consider alternatives like "were purchased" or "were traded" for subtle differences in meaning. As an authoritative and versatile phrase, "were sold" remains a staple in describing past sales events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were purchased

Replaces "sold" with a synonym, emphasizing the buyer's action rather than the seller's.

were bought

A more concise synonym for "were purchased", highlighting the act of buying.

were traded

Indicates an exchange of goods or services, not necessarily involving money.

were exchanged

Similar to "were traded", emphasizing the reciprocal nature of the transaction.

were auctioned off

Specifies that the items were sold through an auction process.

were liquidated

Suggests that the items were sold as part of a process of converting assets into cash, often due to financial difficulties.

were marketed

Focuses on the promotion and distribution efforts that led to the sales.

found buyers

Highlights the process of finding individuals or entities willing to purchase the items.

were available for purchase

Indicates that the items were offered for sale, without necessarily implying that they were all sold.

changed hands

Implies that the ownership of the items was transferred to someone else.

FAQs

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

Use "were sold" to describe items or goods that have been exchanged for money. For example, "The tickets "were sold out" within hours".

What can I say instead of "were sold"?

Alternatives include "were purchased", "were bought", or "were traded", depending on the specific context of the exchange.

Is it correct to say "was sold" instead of "were sold"?

"Was sold" is used with singular subjects, while "were sold" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The car was sold" versus "The cars "were sold"".

What is the difference between "were sold" and "are sold"?

"Were sold" indicates a past action, while "are sold" indicates a present or ongoing action. For example, "The paintings "were sold" last year" versus "These items are sold at a discount".