For sale means available to buy because the owner wants to sell it: a house, a flat, a car, a painting. For Sale is written on signs outside houses and in ads, and Not for sale means that something can't be bought.
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be for sale; put + something + up for sale; not for sale; for sale for/at + price
- The flat above ours has been for sale for a year, but nobody has bought it.
- My parents are putting their old car up for sale next month.
- The paintings in this café are for sale, and the prices are on the back.
What changed
First versionLook, the flat next to ours is sold. Let's ask how much they want for it.
RevisionLook, the flat next to ours is for sale. Let's ask how much they want for it.
Is sold might look like a way to say that a flat is being sold, but the flat is sold means it has already been sold, and then there's no point asking the price. To say that you can still buy it, use for sale.
On sale is about goods in shops or tickets that have become available: The new game is on sale in all shops. For sale is about a particular thing that its owner is selling: Our neighbours' house is for sale.
Your turn
My uncle is moving to Spain, so he has put his house up ___.
Show the answer
for sale — The uncle is selling his own house, and offering something for sale is put up for sale. On sale is about goods in shops or discounts, and it isn't combined with put up.
Imagine you're selling something you no longer need. Write a one-sentence ad: name the item and its price.
My old road bike is for sale for £150, and it comes with a helmet and lights.
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