Purchased vs Brought: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Are you one of the many people who get confused about the difference between “purchased” and “brought”? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll clear up the confusion and help you understand the proper usage of these two words.

Let’s answer the question: which of the two is the proper word to use? The answer is both! However, there is a slight difference in their meanings.

“Purchased” means to buy something, typically with money. It implies a transaction where money is exchanged for goods or services. On the other hand, “brought” means to carry or deliver something to a place or person. It doesn’t necessarily involve a financial transaction.

Now that we’ve established the difference between the two words let’s dive deeper into their usage.

Define Purchased

Purchased refers to the act of acquiring something by paying for it with money or other forms of payment. It involves exchanging currency or other assets for goods or services. When an item is purchased, it becomes the property of the buyer and they have complete ownership and control over it. Purchasing can occur in a variety of contexts, including personal and business transactions.

Define Brought

Brought, on the other hand, refers to the act of bringing something to a particular place or location. It does not necessarily involve the exchange of money or ownership of the item being brought. For example, if you bring a book to a friend’s house, you are not selling or giving the book to your friend, you are simply transporting it to a new location. Brought is often used in the context of transportation or delivery, such as bringing groceries home from the store or bringing a package to the post office.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word to use in a sentence can make a huge difference in the meaning you are trying to convey. Two words that are often confused are “purchased” and “brought”. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Purchased” In A Sentence

“Purchased” is the past tense of the verb “purchase”. It means to buy something, usually with money. Here are some examples of how to use “purchased” in a sentence:

• I purchased a new car last week.
• She purchased a dress for the wedding.
• They purchased tickets to the concert.

It is important to note that “purchased” is used when referring to buying something that is tangible or can be measured, such as a car, dress, or tickets.

How To Use “Brought” In A Sentence

“Brought” is the past tense of the verb “bring”. It means to carry or accompany something or someone to a place. 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 their children to the museum.

It is important to note that “brought” is used when referring to carrying or accompanying something or someone to a place. It is not used when referring to buying something.

By understanding the difference between “purchased” and “brought”, you can ensure that you are using the correct word in your sentences and effectively communicating your intended meaning.

More Examples Of Purchased & Brought Used In Sentences

In order to understand the difference between “purchased” and “brought,” it’s important to see how they’re used in context. Here are some examples of each:

Examples Of Using “Purchased” In A Sentence

• I purchased a new car yesterday.
• She purchased a dress for the wedding.
• He purchased a plane ticket to visit his family.
• We purchased some furniture for the living room.
• They purchased a new computer for the office.
• The company purchased a new building for their headquarters.
• She purchased a book on how to start a business.
• He purchased a gift for his girlfriend’s birthday.
• We purchased some snacks for the road trip.
• They purchased a painting for their living room wall.

Examples Of Using “Brought” In A Sentence

• I brought my lunch to work today.
• She brought a friend to the party.
• He brought his guitar to the campfire.
• We brought our dog to the park.
• They brought some wine to the dinner party.
• The company brought in a consultant to help with the project.
• She brought up a good point during the meeting.
• He brought down the house with his stand-up comedy routine.
• We brought back some souvenirs from our trip.
• They brought in a new CEO to turn the company around.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “purchased” and “brought,” many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used in the appropriate context. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Purchased” Instead Of “Brought”

One common mistake is using “purchased” when you should be using “brought.” “Purchased” means that you bought something, usually in a store or online. On the other hand, “brought” means that you brought something with you, usually from one place to another. For example, you might say, “I brought my lunch to work today” instead of “I purchased my lunch to work today.”

Using “Brought” Instead Of “Purchased”

Another mistake is using “brought” when you should be using “purchased.” This often happens when people are talking about buying something, but they use the wrong word. For example, you might say, “I brought a new pair of shoes yesterday” instead of “I purchased a new pair of shoes yesterday.”

Using Both Words Incorrectly

Finally, some people use both words incorrectly. For example, they might say, “I brought a new book at the store” instead of “I purchased a new book at the store.” This mistake can be confusing and make it difficult for others to understand what you are trying to say.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to understand the difference between “purchased” and “brought.” Take a moment to think about what you are trying to say and which word would be most appropriate. If you’re not sure, look up the definition of each word to make sure you’re using it correctly.

• Use “purchased” when you’re talking about buying something.
• Use “brought” when you’re talking about bringing something with you.
• Avoid using both words interchangeably.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and use “purchased” and “brought” correctly in your writing and conversations.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “purchased” and “brought” might seem like a straightforward decision, but the context in which they are used can greatly impact which one is the best fit. Understanding when to use each word can help you communicate more effectively and avoid confusion.

How The Choice Depends On Context

The choice between “purchased” and “brought” often depends on the type of item being discussed. Generally, “purchased” is used when referring to items that are bought for a price, such as clothing, electronics, or furniture. On the other hand, “brought” is used when referring to items that are physically transported from one place to another, such as groceries or luggage.

However, there are many situations where the context can be less clear-cut. For example, consider the following scenarios:

• You go to a store and buy a cake for a party. Did you purchase or bring the cake?
• You order food for delivery. Did you purchase or bring the food?
• You borrow a book from a friend and return it later. Did you purchase or bring the book?

In each of these scenarios, the choice between “purchased” and “brought” depends on the specific context and the intended meaning of the sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some additional examples of different contexts and how the choice between “purchased” and “brought” might change:

Context	Best Word Choice
Buying a car	Purchased
Moving to a new house	Brought
Ordering takeout	Purchased
Bringing a dish to a potluck	Brought
Returning an item to a store	Purchased
Bringing a souvenir back from a trip	Brought

As you can see, the choice between “purchased” and “brought” can vary widely depending on the context. By considering the specific circumstances and intended meaning of your sentence, you can choose the word that best communicates your message.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “purchased” and “brought” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they may not apply. Here are a few examples:

Gifts And Donations

When giving or receiving gifts or donations, the terms “purchased” and “brought” are not typically used. Instead, the terms “given” or “received” are more appropriate. For example:

• She gave me a book for my birthday.
• He received a donation from the charity.

Travel And Accommodations

When referring to travel and accommodations, “brought” is often used instead of “purchased.” This is because “brought” implies that the item or service was physically transported to a new location. For example:

• We brought our own food for the camping trip.
• She brought her own pillow to the hotel.

Regional Differences

It’s worth noting that the use of “purchased” and “brought” can vary by region. In some areas, one term may be more commonly used than the other. For example, in British English, “brought” is often used instead of “purchased.” It’s important to be aware of these regional differences when communicating with people from different parts of the world.

Overall, while there are some exceptions to the rules for using “purchased” and “brought,” these guidelines should serve as a helpful starting point for anyone looking to use these terms accurately and effectively.

Practice Exercises

Learning the difference between purchased and brought is essential for effective communication. Here are some practice exercises that will help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. I __________ a new car last week. (purchased/brought)
2. She __________ a gift for her friend’s birthday. (purchased/brought)
3. He __________ his lunch to work every day. (purchased/brought)
4. We __________ a house in the suburbs. (purchased/brought)

Answer Key:

• I purchased a new car last week.
• She purchased a gift for her friend’s birthday.
• He brought his lunch to work every day.
• We purchased a house in the suburbs.

Exercise 2: Sentence Correction

Correct the following sentences by replacing the incorrect word with the correct one:

1. He brought a new phone yesterday. (purchased/brought)
2. I purchased my lunch from the cafeteria. (purchased/brought)
3. She brought a new dress for the party. (purchased/brought)
4. We purchased a new TV for the living room. (purchased/brought)

Answer Key:

• He purchased a new phone yesterday.
• I brought my lunch from the cafeteria. (Note: This sentence is correct if the intended meaning is that the speaker physically carried their lunch from the cafeteria to their location.)
• She purchased a new dress for the party.
• We purchased a new TV for the living room.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of purchased and brought in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context of the sentence and the intended meaning of the words to ensure that you are using them correctly.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “purchased” and “brought,” it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. While they may seem similar in meaning, they have distinct contexts and applications in the English language.

Some key takeaways from this article include:

• “Purchased” is used when referring to buying something that is tangible or intangible, while “brought” is used when referring to bringing something to a location or event.
• Using the wrong word can lead to confusion or miscommunication, so it is important to understand the proper usage of each word.
• Grammar and language use are important skills to develop, especially in professional settings.

As you continue to learn about grammar and language use, remember to pay attention to the context and nuances of words like “purchased” and “brought.” By doing so, you can communicate more effectively and avoid any misunderstandings.