Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
are bought from
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "are bought from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the source or supplier of items or products that are purchased. Example: "The materials for the project are bought from local suppliers to support the community."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
42 human-written examples
The wooden boats are bought from local fishermen.
News & Media
Various fruit desserts are bought from an outside bakery.
News & Media
The Japanese appetizers are bought from the Nippon Restaurant in Manhattan.
News & Media
The beans are bought from fair-trade plantations and sold at the same prices as at the average coffeehouse.
News & Media
Search ads are bought from Google through an auction, and businesses pay Google only when someone clicks on their ad.
News & Media
"Wines from older vintages are bought from some of the world's greatest private collections," Mr. Vollalokken said.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
18 human-written examples
Join Angel 'TH274-1' was bought from Join Orchids.
Science
Salmon sperm DNA was bought from Applied Biosystems USAApplied Biosystems USA
Science
P3HT was bought from Guanghe Electronic Materials Co. , Ltd
Science
The enzyme inhibitors were bought from Sigma (USA).
Science
The detergent was bought from Kohinoor Chemical Co. Ltd., Bangladesh.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "are bought from", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the buying and from whom the items are being purchased. This clarifies the relationship and avoids ambiguity.
Common error
While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice, like in "are bought from", can make writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider rephrasing to active voice where appropriate, for instance, "We buy these items from..." to create a more direct and active sentence.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "are bought from" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the source or supplier from which items are purchased. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically sound construction commonly found in various types of writing.
Frequent in
News & Media
46%
Science
34%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Reference
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "are bought from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates the source or supplier of purchased items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various writing styles, though writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice. The phrase frequently appears in news media and scientific contexts, serving the purpose of specifying the origin of goods or services. While alternatives like "are purchased from" or "are sourced from" exist, "are bought from" provides a clear and straightforward way to convey the source of a purchase.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
are acquired from
Replaces "bought" with "acquired", suggesting a broader range of means of obtaining something, not strictly purchase.
are purchased from
Substitutes "bought" with "purchased", offering a more formal tone.
are obtained from
Uses "obtained" instead of "bought", indicating a general acquisition, which could be through purchase or other means.
are sourced from
Replaces "bought" with "sourced", emphasizing the origin or supplier of the items.
are procured from
Employs "procured", suggesting a formal or official process of obtaining something.
are supplied by
Shifts the focus to the supplier, using a passive construction to indicate provision.
come from
Simplifies the phrase to indicate origin, losing the explicit sense of purchase.
are received from
Focuses on the act of receiving, rather than the act of buying.
originate from
Highlights the place or entity where something begins or is created, rather than bought.
are furnished by
Implies a more complete or comprehensive provision, often used for services or equipment.
FAQs
How to use "are bought from" in a sentence?
Use "are bought from" to indicate the source of items that are purchased, for example, "The beans are bought from micro-farmers".
What can I say instead of "are bought from"?
You can use alternatives like "are purchased from", "are acquired from", or "are obtained from" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "are bought from" or "were bought from"?
The correct form depends on the subject's number. Use "are bought from" for plural subjects and "is bought from" for singular subjects in the present tense; use "were bought from" or "was bought from" for past tense.
What's the difference between "are bought from" and "are sourced from"?
"Are bought from" specifically implies a purchase, while "are sourced from" suggests a broader range of origins, not necessarily involving a monetary transaction.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested