Conjugation of "Sell" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To exchange something for money.
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All 12 Tenses of "Sell"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "sell" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I sell |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I sold |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will sell |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am selling |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was selling |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be selling |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have sold |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had sold |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have sold |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been selling |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been selling |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been selling |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Sell" — Sold
The past simple of "sell" is "sold". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "sell" is irregular, "sold" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
- They sold their house for a good price. A2
Past Participle of "Sell" — Sold
The past participle of "sell" is "sold". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have sold"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was sold"). Because "sell" is irregular, "sold" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
- They sold their house for a good price. A2
Is "Sell" Regular or Irregular?
"Sell" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "sell", past simple "sold", and past participle "sold". The 3rd-person singular present is "sells" and the present participle/gerund is "selling". Conjugation pattern: irregular: sell-sold-sold (past simple = past participle).
Conjugation pattern: irregular: sell-sold-sold (past simple = past participle)
How to Pronounce "Sell" and Its Forms
Sell: /sɛl/ — Stress pattern: O
Sounds like 'sel' with the vowel of 'bell'.
How to Use "Sell" — Common Grammar Patterns
Opposite of 'buy'. Often followed by object + for + price.
sell + object + for + price
Example Sentences with "Sell" in Different Tenses
- Simple Past: They sold their house for a good price. A2
Common Collocations with "Sell"
- sell something to someone — He sold the boat to a fisherman.
- sell at — The house sold at a good price.
- sell out — The concert tickets sold out immediately.
- sell for — These vintage coins sell for hundreds of dollars.
- sell online — Many small businesses sell online.
When to Use "Sell" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- vend — formal or retail selling of goods
- trade — exchange goods for payment or other goods
Antonyms: buy
Common Mistakes with "Sell"
-
Wrong: She selled her house.
Correct: She sold her house.
"Sold" is the past tense of "sell", not "selled". -
Wrong: They have sell the product.
Correct: They have sold the product.
Present perfect uses past participle "sold". -
Wrong: He sold the car for my friend.
Correct: He sold the car to my friend.
Use "to" for the buyer, not "for".
Conjugation Tables for "Sell"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not sell · He does not sell
- Simple past: I did not sell · She did not sell
- Present perfect: I have not sold · He has not sold
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you sell? · Does he sell?
- Simple past: Did you sell?
- Present perfect: Have you sold?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is sold
- Simple past passive: It was sold
- Present perfect passive: It has been sold
Frequently Asked Questions About "Sell"
- Is "sell" regular or irregular?
- "sell" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "sold" and past participle is "sold". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "sell"?
- The simple past of "sell" is "sold".
- Are the past simple and past participle the same for "sell"?
- Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "sold".
- What's a common mistake with "sell"?
- "Sold" is the past tense of "sell", not "selled". Wrong: "She selled her house." Correct: "She sold her house."