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Classified ads are placed by individuals having something to sell and are read by those searching for the items listed. Newspapers in larger cities arrange the ads into sections such as: automobiles, household belonging, houses and apartments for rent, garage and moving sales, etc. making it easier to find the item one is looking for.

Ads cost by the word so persons placing them will try to say as much as possible in a few words therefore abbreviations are used to cut down on cost. Each ad will include a description of what is being sold, price asked and a way the seller can be contacted. Other types of ads are placed also, such as those wanting to purchase something.

Below are three sample ads to illustrate the way an ad is structured.

Sample ads
For Rent 2 bedroom apt.(1) Nice area. Fully furnished w/new kitchen appliances, including dishwasher. Washer/dryer hookups.(2) Covered parking.(3) $750. Phone 915-386-4312.

Wanted to Rent In need of a nice 3 bedroom apt. in a quiet section near school. Must be fully equipped. Need carport(4) or garage, prefer garage. Will consider up to $1000 pr. mo.(5) Call after 6 p.m. (214)321-9414.

Moving Sale(6) Moving out of state, must sell everything. Furniture, dishes, clothes, toys and lots of misc.(7) Fri. and Sat. 8-2. No early sales. 20374 Wildwood Ln.

Notes:
(1) Apt. - The commonly used abbreviation for apartment (flat).
(2) W/D or Washer/dryer hookups In order to use the washing machine and clothes dryer in a home, there must be special plumbing for the washer, running hot and cold water pipes to the location where the washer will be placed. For the dryer a plug which runs 220 volts of electricity is needed since all regular electric plugs in the U.S. run 110 volts.
(3) Covered parking means there is a parking section set-aside for apartment residents. It only has a roof and spaces for several automobiles. It may be some distance from the apartment to which it is assigned. Usually there is an extra charge for this parking space.
(4) A carport is a type of building open on one or sometimes two sides and is usually attached to the residence to which it accompanies. It only has room for one or sometimes two vehicles unlike a space designated as covered parking has space for several vehicles.
(5) Pr. Mo. The common abbreviation for per month. This means the person placing the ad is willing to pay up to $1000 each month for an apartment.
(6) Moving Sale - Sales of this type are extremely popular in cities all over the U.S. This one is called a moving sale, but there are other types called garage sales, carport sales, yard sales, etc. All mean the same thing. The owner is getting rid of surplus belongings. In this way someone is willing to haul away things no longer needed but still useful and they are willing to pay money for it. Prices are marked extremely low, a few dollars or, for small items, a few coins. There are people that every week mark these sale ads in their local paper and get up early to be the first to see what "goodies" they can pick up for a small amount of change.
(7) Misc. The common abbreviation for the word miscellaneous.

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