already bought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already bought" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has already been purchased or acquired. Example: I can't believe you already bought the concert tickets! They just went on sale this morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She had already bought it!

The New Yorker

I've already bought my ticket.

The New York Times

They had already bought tickets to "Biography".

The New Yorker

"I already bought these rights," she said.

The New York Times

I've already bought a sofa.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I already bought crow quills".

The New Yorker

If you've already bought tickets, thank you.

The New Yorker

Teams in California, Colorado and Florida have already bought patches.

The New York Times

They are already bought and paid for".

The New York Times

"They had already bought the Porsche".

The New York Times

Those people already bought an Android phone.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already bought" to clearly indicate that a purchase has been completed before a specific time or event. This helps avoid confusion and provides context for subsequent actions or discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "already buy" when you mean to say that something has been purchased in the past. "Already buy" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't convey the intended meaning. Always use the past participle form, "already bought".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already bought" functions as a past participle phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that an item or service has been acquired before a certain point in time. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "already bought" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a past purchase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. While alternatives like previously purchased exist for a more formal tone, "already bought" remains a versatile and effective choice for conveying completed acquisitions. Remember to use the correct tense and consider the context when choosing your phrasing. The frequency of this term demonstrates its importance in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously purchased

Emphasizes the act of purchasing at an earlier time.

already acquired

Similar to "already bought" but uses "acquired" for a slightly more formal tone.

acquired beforehand

Highlights the prior acquisition of something.

purchased earlier

Emphasizes that the purchase occurred at an earlier time.

had obtained already

Focuses on the completion of the obtaining process.

obtained previously

Focuses on the act of obtaining at a time before the present.

procured beforehand

Similar to "acquired beforehand", with a slightly more formal tone.

secured in advance

Highlights the proactive nature of securing something before it was needed.

had already secured

Highlights the action of making something secure or certain beforehand.

already in possession of

Shifts the focus to the state of having something rather than the act of buying.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "already bought" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "previously purchased", "already acquired", or "procured beforehand" to achieve a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "already bought" and "already purchased"?

The difference is minimal. "Already purchased" is slightly more formal than "already bought", but they are largely interchangeable. Use "already purchased" if you want a more refined tone, and "already bought" in more casual contexts.

Is it correct to say "I have already bought"?

Yes, "I have already bought" is grammatically correct and uses the present perfect tense. It indicates that you completed the action of buying something at some point in the past, which is relevant to the present.

What are some alternatives to "already bought" that emphasize advance planning?

Phrases like "secured in advance" or "obtained previously" highlight that the purchase was part of a proactive plan, compared to simply stating that something was "already bought".