[Vocabulary] For £5000

[Kazuo]

Hello!

The vase was knocked down for £5000. (OALD)

Is it possible to use ‘at’ instead of ‘for’ in the sentence above?

Thanks in advance

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello!

The vase was knocked down for £5000. (OALD)

Is it possible to use ‘at’ instead of ‘for’ in the sentence above?

Thanks in advance

I can't see any reason why not.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm confused by the meaning of the sentence, regardless of whether you use "at" or "for".

"The vase was knocked down for £5000" means to me that someone was paid £5000 to knock the vase to the ground! (Similar to "His wife was murdered for £10,000"!)

"The vase was knocked down, at £5000" (note the comma) would mean that the vase was on sale at a reduced price, now £5,000.

If the vase had previously been on sale at a higher price you can say "The vase was knocked down to £5,000".

In order to use "for" I would have to change the sentence to "The vase was on sale for £5,000, a knock-down price".

 

[Raymott]

I'm confused by the meaning of the sentence, regardless of whether you use "at" or "for".

"The vase was knocked down for £5000" means to me that someone was paid £5000 to knock the vase to the ground! (Similar to "His wife was murdered for £10,000"!)

"The vase was knocked down, at £5000" (note the comma) would mean that the vase was on sale at a reduced price, now £5,000.

If the vase had previously been on sale at a higher price you can say "The vase was knocked down to £5,000".

In order to use "for" I would have to change the sentence to "The vase was on sale for £5,000, a knock-down price".

I believe "knocked down" is the technical term used when auctioneers knock their gavel to signify that bidding is over.
In this case, I think 'at' and 'for' both work, but 'at' is part of the technical term - to knock something down at a certain price.

knock-down: Definition from Answers.com

 

[emsr2d2]

I believe "knocked down" is the technical term used when auctioneers knock their gavel to signify that bidding is over.
In this case, I think 'at' and 'for' both work, but 'at' is part of the technical term - to knock something down at a certain price.

knock-down: Definition from Answers.com

Aha! In that case, I understand! Thanks.

 

[Tdol]

At works better for me than for as an auctioneer stops at that point.