Tip 692: "Sell" and "Sale" by Request

From the Writing Workshops: The Difference Between “Sell” and “Sale” 

A friend asked us to explore the difference between “sell” and “sale.” 

When we announced the topic last week, several folks wrote, “Yeah. I’d like to know that.” So here goes.  

The Similarity 

Both deal with exchange, usually with the exchange of money for goods (or goods for money). I give you $1.99. You give me a Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar. An excellent exchange. We’re both happy.  

The Difference

“Sell” is a verb. An action verb. What you do. You offer to sell me a Cadbury’s bar for $1.99. You offer to participate in the exchange of the goods (the Cadbury Bar) for the money ($1.99): 

“If you have $1.99, I’ll sell you this delicious, mouth-watering Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar, the finest milk chocolate in the world.”

“Sale” is a noun. A thing. In this case, the activity, the process, the act of selling the goods for the money. The Cadbury’s Bar for $1.99: 

“We’re having a sale on Cadbury Bars next week. Four for five dollars. Yum.” 

The Telling-apart

You can usually identify action verbs by pairing them with “to.” “To sell” something. “To run” somewhere.” “To love” someone. (Notice how “to sale” doesn’t work.) 

You can usually identify nouns by pairing them with “the” or “a.” “A sale” on something.” “The route” you follow. “The person” you love. (Notice how “We’re having a sell on Cadbury’s chocolate bars” doesn't work.) 

How’s that? Comfortable? Does this make sense? 

We love this stuff.