When it comes to the using the words “sale” and “sell,” its common for many people swap the two, and use them as if they have the same meaning. While similar, the truth is that these two words have quite different meanings. A sale is a great opportunity to get a good deal on something that you want or need. On the other hand, when you sell something, you are exchanging it for money. So, I’ll explain the differences, so you don’t make this simple mistake as a business owner.
What’s the difference between sale vs. sell?
Two words that are commonly confused when it comes to describing the process of exchanging goods or services for money are sale and sell. In general, the use of sale is as a noun of the verb (sell) which refers to a business transaction that involves the exchange of goods or services for money. Sell is the verb form, and it describes the action performed by the seller in exchange for money. One example would be when a store would “sell” a hat to a customer for $45. In this example, the store is performing the action of selling, and the transaction would be referred to as the “sale” of the hat.
In addition, the use of sale and sell have slightly different connotations. For example, the word sale typically means that the transaction is part of something business-related, such as when a company “has a sale” on its products or when a retailer advertises a “special sale” around the holidays. The word sell, on the other hand, suggests an isolated exchange between two parties, like when a person sells a used item to another individual.
What Are Some Examples of Sale vs. Sell?
Sale and sell are two words that describe different aspects of a business transaction involving the promotion of goods or services exchanged for money. Here are some examples using the correct phrase.
Sale Examples
- The store had a sale on all shoes this week.
- We’re having a special Valentine’s day sale on chocolates this weekend.
- I got that sweater for half-price during the winter sale.
- Check out this huge clearance sale tomorrow!
- We are hosting a yard sale this weekend.
- The annual sale starts tomorrow.
- A person who works in sales to sell goods or services is called a salesperson
- A small business is having a sale to move old inventory.
Sell Examples
- I’m selling my old phone online.
- He sells cars for a living.
- I’m selling my old bike for $100.
- A real estate agent wants to sell a house.
Is It “On Sale” or “On Sell”?
The correct wording to use when asking if an item is being sold at a discount price would be “Is this on sale?” When using the word “sale,” it would be used as the noun form of the verb “sell,” In this example, you would use it when referring to when selling something. For instance, if you are looking for clearance items at the store, you would ask, “Is this item on sell” as it would not be the correct usage.
The same holds true when we are talking about goods or services that are being sold, as in this scenario, they are “for sale” instead of “for sell.” Remember, the words sale and sell have different definitions, so it’s important to use the correct form of each word in order to avoid any confusion.
Which Is Correct: “For Sale” or “For Sell”?
The correct phrase to use is “for sale.” As mentioned earlier, the word sale is the noun form of the verb sell, so it makes sense to use it when referring to a transaction that involves selling something. For instance, if you are looking to buy a used car from a neighbor, you might ask if a certain item is “for sale.”
What Is the Difference Between The Sales Price and Selling Price?
A sale price is a price that is offered for a product or service that has been discounted from its original selling price. The selling price, on the other hand, is the full, undiscounted amount that a customer would need to pay for an item.
For example, if a store normally charges $40 for a hat but offers it at a sale price of $20, then the selling price is $40 and the sale price is $20.
