What Does “Be sold on sth” Mean?
“Be sold on sth” means to be completely convinced or enthusiastic about something. It shows strong belief in an idea, product, or plan.
Introduction
The phrase “Be sold on sth” is a common English phrasal verb used to express strong confidence or agreement with a particular idea, product, or suggestion. When someone is “sold on” something, they fully believe it is good or worthwhile. Understanding the Be sold on sth meaning helps learners use this phrase naturally in conversations, especially when discussing opinions or recommendations. This expression is useful in everyday English, business talks, and casual chats when you want to show your support for something.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal Verb: Be sold on something
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short Meaning: To be convinced or enthusiastic about something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Be sold on sth” is an intransitive phrase, meaning it does not take a direct object immediately after “sold.” Instead, it is followed by the preposition “on” and then the object (something).
Pattern: be + sold + on + something
Examples:
- She is sold on the idea.
- They were sold on the new product.
How to Use Be Sold on sth?
Use “Be sold on sth” when you want to say you completely trust or support an idea, plan, or product. It often expresses positive feelings after learning more about something. This phrase is usually used in spoken English but fits well in writing too.
It can describe personal opinions or persuade others by showing your confidence.
Examples
Imagine you tried a new phone and really liked its features. You might say:
- “I’m really sold on this phone after using it for a week.”
- “She wasn’t sold on the plan at first, but now she believes it will work.”
More examples of Be sold on sth in a sentence:
- He’s sold on the idea of working remotely.
- We weren’t sold on the new software until we saw a demo.
- They are sold on the benefits of a healthy diet.
- Are you sold on this solution yet?
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse the phrase by dropping the preposition “on” or using it with the wrong verb form.
- Incorrect: I am sold this idea.
- Correct: I am sold on this idea.
- Incorrect: She sold on the product immediately.
- Correct: She was sold on the product immediately.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “to be convinced,” “to be sure about,” or “to be enthusiastic about.” However, “Be sold on sth” often implies a strong emotional or practical commitment after some consideration.
- Be convinced: More formal and general.
- Be enthusiastic about: Focuses on excitement rather than belief.
- Be sold on sth: Combines belief and enthusiasm, often after evaluating something.
Common Collocations
We often use “Be sold on” with ideas, plans, products, or solutions. Here are some common collocations:
- Be sold on an idea: To fully believe in a concept.
- Be sold on a product: To trust or like a product.
- Be sold on a plan: To support a strategy or proposal.
- Be sold on a solution: To believe a solution will work.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of be sold on sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a simple conversation using “Be sold on sth”:
Anna: Have you decided about the new marketing strategy?
John: Yes, I’m sold on it. The results from the trial were impressive.
Anna: That’s great! I thought you might need more time.
John: No, I’m confident it will boost our sales.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase:
- After the presentation, I was completely _____ _____ _____ the new app.
- They are not _____ _____ _____ the idea yet.
- Are you _____ _____ _____ the proposal?
Answers: sold on
FAQ
- What does “Be sold on sth” mean?
It means to be convinced or enthusiastic about something.
- Can I use “Be sold on” with any noun?
Yes, usually with ideas, products, plans, or solutions.
- Is “Be sold on sth” formal or informal?
It is mostly informal but suitable in many contexts.
- What is the difference between “Be sold on” and “Be convinced”?
“Be sold on” shows enthusiasm and belief, while “Be convinced” is more neutral.
- Can “Be sold on sth” be used in past tense?
Yes, for example, “She was sold on the idea.”
