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B1At the Cinema

Tickets Have Sold Out at the Cinema!

Phrasal Verb: sell out |Grammar: Present Perfect Passive

Objective

Students will understand and use the phrasal verb 'sell out' in the Present Perfect Passive form to talk about cinema tickets that are no longer available.

Article

When you want to see a popular film at the cinema, sometimes you find that tickets have been sold out. This means all the tickets have been bought, and none are left to sell. Recently, many new movies have been so popular that tickets have been sold out within hours after they go on sale. At some cinemas, the tickets for the weekend shows have already been sold out by Thursday. This is because people have been booking tickets online in advance. When tickets have been sold out, you cannot buy any at the cinema counter. It is a good idea to check if tickets have been sold out before you plan your visit. If tickets have been sold out, you might have to wait for another day or choose a different film. Therefore, it is always best to buy tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The phrasal verb 'sell out' means that all available tickets, products, or items have been bought and none remain for sale.

Grammar Note

The Present Perfect Passive is formed with 'have/has been' plus the past participle. It is used here to talk about tickets that have recently been completely sold and are no longer available.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'have/has been sold out' to say that all tickets are gone.
  • This form focuses on the result – no tickets are left now.
  • Use it for recent past actions with present effects.

Examples

The tickets for the new film have been sold out already.

Tickets are no longer available.

All the seats for the evening show have been sold out.

No seats left for that show.

The tickets for Saturday’s screening have been sold out quickly.

Tickets disappeared fast for Saturday.

Unfortunately, the tickets have been sold out by the time we arrived.

No tickets left when we got there.

The special event tickets have been sold out since last week.

No special event tickets available now.

Dialogue

Context: Two friends talking about cinema tickets for a popular movie.

A:
Did you check if the tickets for the new film are still available?
B:
Yes, but I’m afraid all the tickets have been sold out already.
A:
Oh no! I didn’t expect it to happen so fast.
B:
Me neither. We should try to book tickets earlier next time.
A:
Good idea. Maybe we can see a different film instead.
B:
Yes, let’s check what’s still available.

Vocabulary

Ticket
A paper or electronic pass allowing entry to a cinema or event
Example: I bought my cinema ticket online.
Synonym: Pass
Sold out
All items or tickets have been bought and none remain
Example: The concert tickets were sold out in minutes.
Synonym: Unavailable
Screening
A showing of a film to an audience
Example: The evening screening starts at 7 pm.
Synonym: Showing
Booking
The act of reserving tickets or seats in advance
Example: I made a booking for two seats at the cinema.
Synonym: Reservation
Counter
The place in a cinema where tickets are sold
Example: I bought my ticket at the cinema counter.
Synonym: Desk
Popular
Liked or enjoyed by many people
Example: That movie is very popular right now.
Synonym: Famous
Disappointment
The feeling of sadness when something does not happen as expected
Example: It was a disappointment when the tickets were sold out.
Synonym: Letdown
Advance
Before a particular time or event
Example: I bought my tickets in advance.
Synonym: Early
Available
Able to be used or obtained; not sold or taken
Example: Are tickets still available for tonight’s film?
Synonym: Free
Plan
To decide on and arrange in advance
Example: We plan to go to the cinema this weekend.
Synonym: Arrange

Tips

  • Always check online if tickets have been sold out before going to the cinema.
  • Use the Present Perfect Passive to focus on the current situation of tickets being sold out.
  • Don’t say 'tickets sold out' without 'have been' if you want to use Present Perfect Passive.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'sell out' in the Present Perfect Passive form to talk about cinema tickets that are no longer available. You also practiced recognising and using this structure in everyday cinema situations.

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