will not sell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will not sell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a refusal or inability to sell something, often in a business or commercial context. Example: "Despite the high demand, the company has announced that it will not sell its latest product to the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ukraine will not sell.

The New York Times

"I will not sell, " she said.

The New York Times

"Games with female protagonists will not sell".

The Guardian - Tech

Chelsea appear insistent they will not sell the Spanish striker.

Independent

But Villa are adamant they will not sell this month.

Independent

They will not sell Sainsbury's own-label food.

The Guardian - Business

They chanted, "We will not sell this country".

The New York Times

"I told her: 'This book will not sell a copy.

The New York Times - Books

The stores will not sell Avon's current products.

The New York Times

"I eat the food that I grow, and I will not sell anything that's unsafe".

The New York Times

Those such as Auchan and Casino that are privately controlled will not sell themselves cheaply.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will not sell", consider the context to determine if a more formal alternative like "decline to sell" or a more emphatic phrase like "have no intention of selling" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Be specific about what "will not sell". Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating the object or item that is not being sold to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will not sell" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a future intention or determination not to engage in a sales transaction. It's a straightforward way to communicate refusal or prohibition, as evidenced by Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will not sell" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey a decision or policy of refusing to sell. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears across diverse contexts, including news, business, and science. While generally neutral in register, more formal synonyms may be preferred in certain settings. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to specify what is not being sold. When you need an alternative, you can select "refuse to sell" or "decline to sell", as appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to sell

Replaces "will not" with the synonym "refuse to", maintaining a similar level of formality and directness.

are not selling

A simple change of tense that emphasizes the immediate situation.

decline to sell

Uses "decline" instead of "refuse", suggesting a more polite or formal rejection of a sale.

not for sale

Emphasizes that something is unavailable for purchase, often used as a label or sign.

unwilling to sell

Highlights the reluctance or lack of desire to sell something.

choose not to sell

Emphasizes the active decision to avoid selling something, highlighting the element of choice.

have no intention of selling

Expresses a firm decision not to sell, indicating a clear and deliberate choice.

have no plans to sell

Suggests that there is no intention to sell something in the foreseeable future.

intend to retain

A more formal phrase expressing that something is to be kept rather than sold.

are keeping

Expresses that something is being retained rather than sold.

FAQs

What does "will not sell" mean?

The phrase "will not sell" indicates a refusal or inability to sell something. It expresses a decision not to offer something for purchase or exchange.

What can I say instead of "will not sell"?

You can use alternatives like "refuse to sell", "decline to sell", or "not for sale" depending on the context.

Is "will not sell" formal or informal?

"Will not sell" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal situations, "decline to sell" might be more appropriate.

How to use "will not sell" in a sentence?

You can use "will not sell" to state a company's policy (e.g. "The company will not sell products that have not been tested thoroughly") or an individual's decision (e.g. "I will not sell my family's heirloom").