Brought vs Bought: Which Should You Use In Writing?

Are you confused about when to use brought vs bought? You’re not alone. These two words can be easily mixed up, but fear not, we’re here to help clear things up.

The proper word to use depends on the context of the sentence. Brought is the past tense and past participle of the verb bring, which means to carry something to a place or person. Bought, on the other hand, is the past tense and past participle of the verb buy, which means to obtain something in exchange for payment.

So, if you’re talking about carrying something to a place or person, you would use brought. If you’re talking about obtaining something in exchange for payment, you would use bought.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the differences between these two words and provide examples to help you understand when to use each one.

Define Brought

Brought is the past tense and past participle of the verb “bring.” It means to carry or convey something or someone to a place or person. Brought can also mean to cause something to happen or to introduce something new.

For example:

• I brought my lunch to work today.
• The new manager brought a fresh perspective to the team.

Define Bought

Bought is the past tense and past participle of the verb “buy.” It means to acquire something in exchange for money or equivalent value. Bought can also mean to bribe or corrupt someone.

For example:

• I bought a new book at the bookstore yesterday.
• The politician was accused of buying votes in the election.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to effective communication. The words “brought” and “bought” are often confused due to their similar spellings, but they have different meanings and uses. In this section, we will discuss how to use each of these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Brought” In A Sentence

The word “brought” is the past tense of the verb “bring.” It means to carry or deliver something to a place or person. Here are some examples of how to use “brought” in a sentence:

• I brought my lunch to work today.
• She brought her dog to the park.
• They brought flowers to the hospital.

As you can see, “brought” is used to describe the act of carrying or delivering something to a specific location or person.

How To Use “Bought” In A Sentence

The word “bought” is the past tense of the verb “buy.” It means to acquire something by paying for it. Here are some examples of how to use “bought” in a sentence:

• I bought a new phone yesterday.
• She bought a dress for the party.
• They bought tickets to the concert.

As you can see, “bought” is used to describe the act of acquiring something by paying for it.

Remember, using the correct word in a sentence is important for clear communication. By understanding the difference between “brought” and “bought,” you can avoid confusing your audience and ensure that your message is conveyed accurately.

More Examples Of Brought & Bought Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between “brought” and “bought”, it’s important to see how each word is used in context. Here are some examples of “brought” used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using “Brought” In A Sentence

• She brought her dog to the park.
• He brought his own lunch to work.
• We brought our passports to the airport.
• They brought a gift for the hostess.
• She brought her A-game to the competition.
• He brought up an interesting point during the meeting.
• We brought the issue to the attention of management.
• They brought in a consultant to help with the project.
• She brought down the house with her performance.
• He brought his son to the game.

As you can see, “brought” is used to indicate that someone or something was taken or brought to a specific location or situation.

Examples Of Using “Bought” In A Sentence

• She bought a new dress for the party.
• He bought a car last week.
• We bought tickets to the concert.
• They bought a house in the suburbs.
• She bought a book at the bookstore.
• He bought a coffee on his way to work.
• We bought groceries at the supermarket.
• They bought furniture for their new apartment.
• She bought a gift for her friend’s birthday.
• He bought a new phone online.

“Bought” is used to indicate that someone purchased something, either in a physical or metaphorical sense.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “brought” and “bought,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used correctly to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Highlighting Common Mistakes

One common mistake people make is using “brought” instead of “bought” when referring to a purchase. “Brought” is the past tense of “bring,” while “bought” is the past tense of “buy.” Therefore, using “brought” in this context is incorrect and can lead to confusion.

Another mistake people make is using “bought” instead of “brought” when referring to bringing something to a place. For example, saying “I bought my laptop to work” is incorrect. The correct word to use in this context is “brought.”

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to understand the difference between “brought” and “bought.” Remember that “brought” refers to bringing something to a place, while “bought” refers to purchasing something.

Here are some additional tips to help you avoid these common mistakes:

• Think about the context in which you are using the word. Is it referring to a purchase or bringing something to a place?
• Double-check your writing before submitting it to ensure you are using the correct word.
• Practice using these words correctly in your everyday speech to help reinforce the correct usage.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “brought” and “bought,” context plays a crucial role in determining which word is appropriate to use in a given situation. While both words are commonly used in English, they have distinct meanings that can greatly impact the overall message being conveyed.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts where the choice between “brought” and “bought” might change:

Context	Example	Appropriate Word Choice
Shopping	“I bought a new shirt at the mall.”	Bought
Gifting	“She brought me a bouquet of flowers.”	Brought
Travel	“We brought our passports to the airport.”	Brought
Past Tense	“He bought a car last year.”	Bought

As the table above illustrates, the choice between “brought” and “bought” can depend on the specific context in which they are used. In general, “bought” is typically used when referring to purchasing something, while “brought” is used when referring to carrying or delivering something to a specific location or person.

It’s important to note that there are some instances where the two words can be used interchangeably, such as when referring to bringing or purchasing food items. For example, “I brought/bought some fruit for the party.”

Ultimately, the key to choosing the appropriate word is to consider the context in which it will be used and determine which word best fits the intended meaning of the sentence.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using brought and bought are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. In these cases, it’s important to understand the context and usage to ensure you are using the correct word.

1. Regional Variations

One exception to the rules for using brought and bought is regional variations. In some parts of the world, the words are used interchangeably, while in others, the meanings are distinct. For example, in British English, brought is often used to mean “to carry or deliver,” while bought is used to mean “to purchase.” However, in American English, bought is used for both meanings.

Example:

• British English: He brought the groceries home. (meaning: carried or delivered)
• American English: He bought the groceries. (meaning: purchased)

2. Idiomatic Expressions

Another exception to the rules for using brought and bought is idiomatic expressions. These are phrases that have a meaning that cannot be understood from the individual words. In some cases, the correct word to use may not be obvious based on the meaning of the phrase alone.

Example:

• “Brought to light” (meaning: revealed) uses brought, even though it doesn’t involve physical carrying or delivery.
• “Bought the farm” (meaning: died) uses bought, even though it doesn’t involve a purchase.

3. Past Participles

Finally, there are some cases where the past participle of bring and buy can be used interchangeably. The past participle is the form of the verb used in perfect tenses (e.g. “I have brought/bought the book”). In these cases, the meaning is the same regardless of which word is used.

Example:

• I have brought/bought the tickets for the concert.
• She had brought/bought a cake for the party.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between “brought” and “bought,” it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your usage of these two words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (brought or bought) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. I __________ a new pair of shoes at the mall yesterday.
2. She __________ her lunch to work every day.
3. He __________ his guitar to the party last night.
4. They __________ tickets to the concert online.
5. We __________ back souvenirs from our trip to Europe.

Answers: 1. bought 2. brought 3. brought 4. bought 5. brought

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word (brought or bought) to complete each sentence below:

1. She __________ a new car last week.
   • a. brought
   • b. bought
2. He __________ his lunch to work every day.
   • a. brought
   • b. bought
3. They __________ tickets to the movie theater.
   • a. brought
   • b. bought
4. We __________ back gifts from our vacation.
   • a. brought
   • b. bought
5. She __________ her baby to the doctor’s appointment.
   • a. brought
   • b. bought

Answers: 1. b 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. a

Exercise 3: Writing Sentences

Write five sentences using “brought” and five sentences using “bought.” Make sure each sentence is grammatically correct and uses the correct word.

Example sentences:

• She brought her dog to the park.
• He bought a new phone yesterday.
• I brought my lunch to work today.
• They bought a house in the suburbs.
• We brought our kids to the zoo last weekend.

Answer Key

Exercise 1: 1. bought 2. brought 3. brought 4. bought 5. brought

Exercise 2: 1. b 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. a

Exercise 3: Answers will vary.

Conclusion

After reading this article, it is clear that the distinction between “brought” and “bought” is important in written and spoken communication. The two words have different meanings and are used in different contexts.

Key Takeaways

• “Brought” is the past tense of “bring” and refers to bringing something to a place or person.
• “Bought” is the past tense of “buy” and refers to purchasing something.
• Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and miscommunication.
• It is important to pay attention to context and meaning when choosing between “brought” and “bought”.

It is important for readers to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve their communication skills. By regularly reviewing grammar rules and expanding vocabulary, individuals can enhance their writing and speaking abilities.