be bought at a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be bought at a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the availability or purchase of an item at a specific location or price. Example: "The latest smartphone can be bought at a local electronics store for a reasonable price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Industrial-grade silicone can be bought at a hardware store.

The New York Times

We introduce a simple bidding mechanism where votes can be bought at a quadratic cost and voters receive rebates equal to the average of others' payments.

Games and Economic Behavior

The shares will be bought at a cost of $30.88 each, or about $80 million.

The New York Times

Clearly that flexibility should have to be bought at a higher price.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a tale of contemporary corruption: everything can be bought, at a price.

The Guardian

You must choose between safe and unsafe sex (condoms can be bought at a general store).

The New York Times - Arts

The gains in personal freedom will be bought at a spiritual price.

The New Yorker

Merrill Lynch agreed to be bought at a fire-sale price.

The New York Times

In short, the valuable prize of a more prosperous and stable Eastern Europe could be bought at a tiny price.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It can be bought at an electronics store like Circuit City for $120 to $2,000.

The New York Times

"If we sell at a low price, then we'll be buying at a low price".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be bought at a", ensure the context clearly specifies where or under what conditions the item or service can be purchased. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid substituting "at" with other prepositions like "in" or "on" when referring to a specific location or price point. "At" accurately denotes the place or condition of the purchase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be bought at a" functions primarily as a passive construction indicating that an item or service is available for purchase. Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in various contexts, such as retail locations or specific price points.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be bought at a" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the availability of an item or service for purchase at a specific location or under certain conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently across a variety of sources, including news media, wikis, and business publications. Its neutral register and clear communicative purpose make it a versatile choice for conveying information about where and how something can be acquired. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the location, price, or conditions of purchase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be purchased at a

Replaces "bought" with "purchased", offering a more formal tone.

be acquired at a

Substitutes "bought" with "acquired", suggesting a broader context than just monetary exchange.

be obtained at a

Uses "obtained" instead of "bought", implying effort or process in getting something.

be secured at a

Replaces "bought" with "secured", indicating that effort was needed to get something, often something scarce.

be available for purchase at a

Adds detail about availability, focusing on the opportunity to buy.

be on sale at a

Focuses on an item being on sale, available in that period

be fire-sold at a

Suggests a distressed sale, available at a cheap price

be acquired at the cost of

Focuses on the expense, tangible or not, for getting something

be offered for sale at a

Highlights that something is being marketed for purchase.

be procurable at a

Uses "procurable", indicating something can be obtained with effort, usually in a formal context.

FAQs

What does "be bought at a" mean?

The phrase "be bought at a" indicates that something is available for purchase at a specific location, price, or under particular conditions.

What can I say instead of "be bought at a"?

You can use alternatives like "be purchased at a", "be acquired at a", or "be available for purchase at a" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be bought in a" instead of "be bought at a"?

No, using "in" is generally incorrect when referring to a specific location or price. "Be bought at a" is the correct phrasing.

How can I use "be bought at a" in a sentence?

For example: "Industrial-grade silicone can be bought at a hardware store" or "The shares will be bought at a cost of $30.88 each."