Single purchase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Single purchase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a transaction involving the acquisition of one item or service, typically in a retail or sales context. Example: "To take advantage of the discount, you must make a single purchase of at least $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No single purchase was more than $277.

The New York Times - Tech

Sorry, but $3.95 seemed awfully steep for a single purchase.

The New York Times - Tech

The deal marks the largest-ever single purchase order in BlackBerry's history, according to the company.

The Guardian - Tech

It is extremely rare for even a single purchase to end in three zeroes.

The New Yorker

Bought for £1.8m by the British Museum in 1999, its most expensive single purchase.

The Guardian

Think about the global impacts you make with every single purchase".

The New York Times

A single purchase allows customers to download both versions if they so wish.

Harvard University

A single purchase might cost $150, but ordering in bulk brings costs down.

The New York Times

Delivery isn't free for larger orders, so the small sellers can be better for a cheap single purchase.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She writes down "every single purchase she made in her notebook", with the same pen each time.

The Guardian - Books

Keeping a record on paper or on a spreadsheet and manually noting every single purchase and expenditure is time consuming.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or financial planning, use "single purchase" to clearly distinguish between one-time costs and recurring expenses. This ensures clarity when outlining spending habits or investment strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "single purchase" when you actually mean a bulk or multiple item order. "Single purchase" implies one item or service acquired in a transaction, whereas a bulk order involves multiple units, so choose the expression that best fits the scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single purchase" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It denotes a transaction involving the acquisition of one item or service, distinct from recurring transactions or bulk orders.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "single purchase" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, denoting a one-time transaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and wide applicability across various domains. It is most prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When writing, ensure that "single purchase" accurately reflects a single item or service acquired, avoiding confusion with bulk orders or recurring subscriptions. Related phrases such as "one-time buy" or "individual transaction" can be used as alternatives to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Single acquisition

Similar to "single purchase" but emphasizes the obtaining of something.

One-time buy

Focuses on the isolated nature of the transaction, emphasizing that it's not recurring.

Single item purchase

Focuses specifically on the buying of one individual item.

One-off purchase

Stresses that it is a unique or non-recurring transaction.

Individual transaction

Highlights the specific instance of buying something separately from other transactions.

Stand-alone purchase

Emphasizes that the purchase is not part of a larger or recurring order.

Separate order

Highlights that the item was ordered independently.

Isolated acquisition

Stresses the act of obtaining something as a unique event, often used in more formal contexts.

Unique buying event

Focuses on the uniqueness and individuality of the purchase occurrence.

Sole procurement

Implies that only one item or service was obtained in the buying process; more formal.

FAQs

How to use "single purchase" in a sentence?

You can use "single purchase" to describe a one-time transaction, such as: "The discount applies only to a "single purchase", not to recurring orders."

What can I say instead of "single purchase"?

You can use alternatives like "one-time buy", "individual transaction", or "single acquisition" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "single purchase" or "individual purchase"?

Both "single purchase" and "individual purchase" are correct and can often be used interchangeably. However, ""single purchase"" is more commonly used in general contexts, while "individual purchase" might emphasize the separation from other transactions.

What's the difference between "single purchase" and "bulk order"?

"Single purchase" refers to buying one item or service in a transaction, while "bulk order" refers to buying a large quantity of the same item, often at a discounted price.