Language Research

sale · noun

/seɪl/Full view

for sale

A2 available to buy

Dictionary examples:

Is this painting for sale?

Our neighbors put their house up for sale last week.

Learner example:

For sale: "Olympus" camera + bag. (Key English Test; A2; French)

on sale

A2 available at a reduced price

Dictionary example:

I love that dress, but I'm waiting until it's on sale before I buy it.

Learner example:

I bought a nice t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I bought them because they're comfortable and cheap: they were on sale. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

on sale

B1 available to buy in a store, on the Internet, etc.

Dictionary examples:

The video and book are now on sale.

Tickets went on sale yesterday.

Learner example:

I went window shopping with my friends yesterday and I saw this beautiful skirt on sale. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Malay)

sale

B2 C or U the act of selling something, or the time when something is sold

Dictionary examples:

The school raised money from book sales, bake sales, and individual contributors.

The building company gets a 10 percent commission on each house sale.

I haven't made a sale all morning.

Learner example:

We had arranged to meet him at the Ritz restaurant in order to deal [with] the sale of some products. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

sales

B2 the number of items sold

Dictionary example:

Our sales have doubled this year.

Learner example:

You should know that they are getting a marked increase in sales. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)