What is sale? Pronunciation and usage in English

sale means . Learn how to pronounce and use sale through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of sale

salenoun

/seɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of sale

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sale" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and which one is used depends on where you are and what you're referring to.

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (US English): /seɪl/

  • This is the pronunciation you'll hear most often in the United States.
  • It sounds like "sail" – as in, the boat.
  • It's a diphthong, meaning the vowel sound changes as it's spoken. It starts like an "e" and slides up to an "a" sound.

2. The British English Pronunciation: /sæl/

  • This is the pronunciation you'll hear in the UK.
  • It sounds like "saul" – as in, a person's name.
  • It's a simpler, consistent vowel sound, like the "a" in "father."

Here's a breakdown with sounds:

  • US: /seɪl/ (Think "say-l")
  • UK: /sæl/ (Think "saul")

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce sale" on Google, and you'll find audio clips demonstrating both pronunciations.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%C3%87ale – This website has recordings of the word pronounced by native speakers from different regions.

To help me give you the most helpful advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (or where do you want to sound)? (US, UK, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word sale in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sale" in English. It has a few different meanings and ways to be used!

1. As a Noun (a thing):

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. It refers to an event where goods or services are offered at a reduced price.
  • Examples:
    • "We're having a big sale next weekend." (Referring to the event itself)
    • "I saw a lovely dress on sale for half price." (Referring to the discounted item)
    • "The sale ended yesterday." (Referring to the event having finished)
    • "What kind of sales are you offering this week?" (Asking about the types of discounts)

2. As a Verb (an action):

  • Meaning: This means to offer something for less than the usual price. It's about doing a sale.
  • Examples:
    • "The store will sale all its summer merchandise." (They are going to offer it at a discount)
    • "We need to sell off some of our inventory." (We need to reduce our stock by offering it cheaper)
    • "The company decided to sale the factory." (They decided to put up for sale the factory.)

3. Common Phrases Using "Sale":

  • Clearance sale: A sale to get rid of old or leftover stock. ("They're having a clearance sale on winter coats.")
  • Black Friday sale: A huge sale that typically happens the day after Thanksgiving in the US.
  • Holiday sale: A sale that happens around holidays like Christmas, Easter, etc.
  • End-of-season sale: A sale to clear out older stock before a new season starts.
  • Going out of business sale: A sale held when a business is closing down.
  • Online sale: A sale that takes place on a website.

4. Related Words & Phrases:

  • Discount: A reduction in the usual price. ("There's a 20% discount during the sale.")
  • Reduced price: A lower price. ("Items are available at a reduced price during the sale.")
  • Special offer: A promotional deal (often including a sale).
  • Bargain: Something sold at a very low price. ("I got a real bargain at the sale!")

Tips for Using "Sale" Correctly:

  • Understand the context: Is it referring to the event, the item, or the action of offering the item at a lower price?
  • Use "on sale": This is a very common and natural way to say something is discounted. ("That book is on sale.")
  • Use "reduced price": Good for formal situations.

Can you give me a sentence where you'd like me to use the word "sale" so I can tailor my explanation even more? Or, would you like me to:

  • Give you more example sentences?
  • Explain a specific aspect of "sale" (like the difference between a sale and a discount)?

Synonyms for the word sale

Practice with vocabulary sale

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. The department store held a massive year-end _______ on all seasonal apparel.
  2. The new advertising _______ successfully generated considerable public interest in the product.
  3. Despite the challenging economic climate, the company reported a significant increase in vehicle _______ this quarter.
  4. The management team is focused on improving overall _______ margins, not just increasing volume.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all correct answers for each question.

  1. Which of the following terms can describe an event where items are offered at reduced prices to clear inventory? a) Promotion b) Clearance c) Auction d) Sale e) Discount

  2. The real estate agent finalized the _______ of the property after months of negotiations. a) purchase b) acquisition c) transaction d) sale e) agreement

  3. When a business decides to offer goods at a lower price for a limited time, it is initiating a _______. a) special offer b) bargain c) promotion d) sale e) campaign

  4. Which term best describes the total income generated by a company's operations before deducting expenses? a) Expenses b) Revenue c) Assets d) Profit e) Capital

  5. What is the primary purpose of a "demonstration" in a retail environment? a) To increase production costs. b) To showcase product features and benefits. c) To reduce customer interest. d) To manage inventory levels. e) To discourage purchases.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions provided.

  1. The company decided to get rid of its outdated machinery. (Rewrite using the word "sale" or a related word form.)
  2. The retailer offered a great reduction in price on all its summer collection items. (Rewrite using the word "sale" or a related word form.)
  3. To attract more visitors, the museum decided to reduce the entry fee for a month. (Rewrite without using "sale" or any of its word forms, using a suitable replacement word.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. sale
  2. campaign
  3. sale
  4. profit

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) Promotion, b) Clearance, d) Sale, e) Discount
  2. a) purchase, b) acquisition, c) transaction, d) sale
  3. a) special offer, c) promotion, d) sale
  4. b) Revenue
  5. b) To showcase product features and benefits.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company decided to put its outdated machinery up for sale.
  2. The retailer held a huge sale on all its summer collection items.
  3. To attract more visitors, the museum decided to offer a discount on the entry fee for a month.

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