already purchased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already purchased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been bought prior to the current moment or context. Example: "I can't return the item because it has already been purchased."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Excludes tickets already purchased.

The Guardian

They had already purchased the servers.

The New Yorker

The offer does not apply to tickets already purchased.

The Guardian

Radack already purchased him a Monday through Saturday subscription.

The Guardian - Money

But what if you already purchased your trip?

The New York Times - Travel

Offer does not apply to tickets already purchased.

Independent

"Before a client comes in, I've reviewed what she's already purchased," Ms. Keating Weiss explained.

The New York Times

What this means for its readers is that books they have already purchased might become unreadable.

The Guardian - Books

They have already purchased a large and comfortable home just outside Phoenix.

The New York Times

Rockefeller accepted saying they had already purchased "seats within our means".

The New Yorker

He's already purchased a bird-spotting guide and books on beachcombing and local marine life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "already purchased", ensure it logically connects to the surrounding context. For instance, clarify what was "already purchased" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "already purchased" when the context clearly implies that the purchase has already occurred. For example, instead of saying "the item was already purchased previously", simply say "the item was already purchased" or "the item was purchased previously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already purchased" functions as a modifier describing a noun (e.g., tickets, items) that has been acquired through a purchase at a prior time. It typically specifies conditions or exclusions, or highlights prior actions, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already purchased" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its purpose is to specify that an item or service has been acquired prior to a particular context. This phrase commonly appears in news, media, and scientific contexts, as it helps set conditions, clarify eligibility, and provide important context. When using "already purchased", ensure clarity in your writing by explicitly stating what has been purchased.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously acquired

Replaces "purchased" with "acquired", emphasizing the act of gaining possession, and "already" with "previously" to express earlier acquisition.

bought beforehand

Uses "bought" as a direct synonym for "purchased" and "beforehand" to convey that the action occurred in advance.

acquired earlier

Substitutes "purchased" with the more general term "acquired" and uses "earlier" in place of "already".

already in possession

Shifts the focus from the act of buying to the state of owning something prior to the current moment.

owned previously

Highlights the ownership aspect using "owned" instead of focusing on the purchase event.

had bought before

Emphasizes the past completion of the purchase using the past perfect tense.

previously obtained

Replaces "purchased" with "obtained", indicating a more general way of acquiring something before the current time.

already secured

Suggests the item was definitively acquired with intent.

bought in advance

Highlights the timing of the purchase, indicating it was made ahead of time.

acquired in the past

Emphasizes past acquisition with no specific recentness.

FAQs

How can I use "already purchased" in a sentence?

You can use "already purchased" to indicate that an item or service has been bought before a specific time or event. For example, "This offer does not apply to tickets "already purchased"" or "If you have "already purchased" the app, the upgrade is free."

What are some alternatives to "already purchased"?

Some alternatives to "already purchased" include "previously acquired", "bought beforehand", or "acquired earlier". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "already purchased" or "already been purchased"?

"Already purchased" is generally more concise and direct. "Already been purchased" is grammatically correct but often unnecessary, adding extra words without changing the meaning. For example, "the tickets are "already purchased"" is preferable to "the tickets have already been purchased."

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

"Already purchased" indicates that the purchase happened at some point in the past, without specifying when. "Recently purchased" implies that the purchase happened in the near past. If the timing is important, use "recently purchased"; otherwise, "already purchased" is sufficient.