Can you say?

[TheShadow]

Hi,

"Cigarettes at supermarkets are usually sold by the check out"


Thanks

[emsr2d2]

Hi,

"Cigarettes at supermarkets are usually sold by the check out"


Thanks

You can, but it would sound better as "Cigarettes are usually sold by the checkout at supermarkets".

Note: "checkout" is all one word. "Check out" is a phrasal verb.

If you really want to keep your word order, you need a couple of commas: "Cigarettes, at supermarkets, are usually sold by the checkout". Otherwise it sounds as if "cigarettes at supermarkets" is a recognised common term.

For info, in the UK, it depends on the layout of the supermarket. In smaller ones, the cigarettes are usually on a wall display behind the tills so you take your shopping to the checkout and then ask the assistant to add the cigarettes to your shopping. At larger supermarkets, there are separate areas where you can buy cigarettes and, sometimes, sweets, newspapers and other small items.

[SoothingDave]

I would say they were sold "at" the checkout, if indeed the same employee ringing up your bananas and eggs also got your cigarettes for you and added them to your purchases.

If they were sold "by" the checkout, I would think that there was a separate place near the checkout lines where they were sold.