are bought for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are bought for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the purpose or reason for purchasing something, often in a passive construction. Example: "These gifts are bought for the children in the hospital to bring them joy during the holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"These Ferraris are bought for tours like this," Mr. Hagerty said.

The New York Times

Thousands of automatic rifles are bought for export to Mexico, which is illegal.

The Economist

Few of the 5% of farms that are sold every year are bought for black farmers.

The Economist

Most early Kindle models are bought for between $20 and $37.

The New York Times

Start from the hypothesis that (really) cheap Android tablets are bought for a few apps and watching sideloaded TV shows.

The Guardian - Tech

A Royal Mint spokeswoman stresses that commemorative coins are bought for "emotional currency", and it does not sell based on investment.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"Others are buying for children who are students.

The New York Times

Junkers are recreational shoppers who are buying for themselves.

The New York Times

Know what you are buying for your children.

The New York Times - Tech

For details on what stocks these eight top performers are buying for 2006, click here.

Forbes

"Also, they are buying for themselves.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing when choosing "are bought for". It is suitable for general use but can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "are acquired for" in professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are bought for" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The books are bought for the students", consider "We buy the books for the students" if you want to emphasize the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are bought for" functions as a passive construction indicating the reason or purpose behind a purchase. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in various contexts to specify the beneficiary or intention behind the purchase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are bought for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the purpose or reason behind a purchase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, with Science and Wiki also appearing. The phrase maintains a neutral register and can be replaced with alternatives like "are purchased for" or "are intended for" depending on the desired level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the purpose of the purchase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are purchased for

Replaces "bought" with its synonym "purchased", maintaining the same structure and meaning.

are acquired for

Substitutes "bought" with "acquired", suggesting a more formal or deliberate acquisition.

are intended for

Focuses on the intended purpose of the purchase, rather than the act of buying itself.

are secured for

Emphasizes the effort or process involved in obtaining the item, suggesting it might be difficult to get.

are obtained for

Highlights the action of getting something, similar to acquired but less formal.

are used for

Focuses on the utility or application of the purchased items.

serve the purpose of

A more verbose phrase emphasizing the function that the items fulfill after purchase.

are earmarked for

Suggests the items are specifically designated for a particular use or recipient.

are destined for

Implies a predetermined or inevitable purpose for the purchased items.

are procured for

Similar to acquired, but often used in a business or official context.

FAQs

What does "are bought for" mean?

The phrase "are bought for" indicates the purpose or reason why something is purchased. For example, "These gifts "are bought for" the children" means the gifts are intended for the children.

What can I say instead of "are bought for"?

You can use alternatives like "are purchased for", "are acquired for", or "are intended for" depending on the context.

Is "are bought for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "are bought for" is grammatically correct. It is a passive voice construction indicating the purpose of a purchase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

How can I use "are bought for" in a sentence?

Use "are bought for" when you want to emphasize the purpose or recipient of a purchase, rather than who is doing the buying. For example: "The supplies "are bought for" the project."