on sale vs for sale

[goodstudent]

A) This table is for sale

B) This table is on sale

Qn1. What are the differences between A and B?

C) This table may be for sale

D) This table may be on sale

Qn2. Is D) correct?

Qn3. Does "on sale" means it is cheaper than normal prices? Or does it only mean that the table is available for sale?

Thanks

 

[5jj]

A) This table is for sale.
This is more likely to be used when it is being offered by a private seller rather than a shop.
B) This table is on sale.
This is more likely to be used if the table is in a shop. We would normally expect a little more information, such as 'from tomorrow', 'in most branches of Pummelland', etc..

C) This table may be for sale.
D) This table may be on sale.

Qn2. Is D) correct? It's OK, but, once again, we would normally expect a little more information.

Qn3. Does "on sale" means it is cheaper than normal prices? Or does it only mean that the table is available for sale?
Normally only the latter in BrE.

5

 

[Barb_D]

It's different in the US. "For" sale = available for purchase. "On" sale = discounted price.

Usually.

 

[goodstudent]

It's different in the US. "For" sale = available for purchase. "On" sale = discounted price.

Usually.

How about only the word sale in US? For example: The table sale.

 

[Barb_D]

That would imply there was a sale (disounted prices) on tables. That's unusual. On the other hand, you can have a "swimwear sale" where bathing suits are reduced in price.

 

[emsr2d2]

Is a table sale in the US not like a yard sale? Someone clears a load of stuff out of their house and garage and then puts it on a table outside the house to sell to the public.

 

[Barb_D]

No, that could be a yard sale, a garage sale, or even a tag sale, but if you said "table sale" I'd have no idea what you meant.

 

[5jj]

For those of you who, like me, had never heard of a tag sale: define tag sale | definition of tag sale

 

[goodstudent]

No, that could be a yard sale, a garage sale, or even a tag sale, but if you said "table sale" I'd have no idea what you meant.

When I use "table" as an example, I just randomly pick an item and I was selling a table. It could also printer sale, computer sale, chair sale...

 

[goodstudent]

One quick question,

1) When I use "table" as an example

2) When I used "table" as an example

Which one is correct?

 

[Rover_KE]

They are both correct.