being bought by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being bought by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of one entity purchasing another, often in a business or financial context. Example: "The company is currently being bought by a larger corporation, which will lead to significant changes in management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Profitability is being bought by shedding jobs.

The Economist

"Everyone is being bought by I.B.M.," the SAS chief said.

The New York Times

Your sex is being bought by somebody over there.

The Guardian

"Pieces are being bought by speculators, not collectors.

The Guardian - Arts

After being bought by a series of manufacturers, the company went out of business in 2004.

The New York Times

"It's hard to see the company being bought by anyone else".

The New York Times

"The iPhone is being bought by people who don't have Apple products.

The New York Times - Tech

Being bought by eBay gave PayPal credibility and access to a huge customer base.

The New Yorker

Life will carry on the same, despite being bought by the world's most powerful media tycoon.

Independent

"These are being bought by people who expect to live in them," Mr. Schachter said.

The New York Times

Supermarkets record every item being bought by customers who use discount cards.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being bought by" when you want to emphasize the passive role of the entity being acquired.

Common error

Avoid using "being bought by" interchangeably with terms like "being invested in by" or "being sponsored by". "Being bought by" specifically indicates a change in ownership, while the others imply financial support or endorsement without necessarily transferring ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being bought by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action of being purchased. Ludwig contains many examples demonstrating its use in describing corporate acquisitions and changes in ownership.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being bought by" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the acquisition of one entity by another. Ludwig's examples show it's most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its relevance in discussing corporate takeovers and market dynamics. While alternatives like "being acquired by" exist, "being bought by" is a direct and widely understood way to communicate a change in ownership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being acquired by

Emphasizes the process of one entity taking over another, often in a business context. Highlights the transfer of ownership.

being purchased by

Focuses on the act of buying something, emphasizing the financial transaction. It's a more direct and literal alternative.

being taken over by

Highlights the aspect of control and potential changes in management or direction after the acquisition.

being controlled by

Stresses the aspect of authority and influence exerted by the acquiring entity.

being merged with

Implies a more equal union of two entities, rather than one simply buying the other.

coming under the ownership of

A more formal way of stating the transfer of ownership, suitable for legal or official contexts.

falling under the control of

Similar to "being controlled by", but can also imply a loss of independence or autonomy.

being subsumed by

Suggests a complete absorption of one entity into another, losing its original identity.

being invested in by

Focuses on the financial aspect, suggesting that the acquiring entity is putting money into the target.

being sponsored by

Indicates a supportive relationship where one party provides resources or funding to another.

FAQs

What does "being bought by" mean in business terms?

In business, "being bought by" means one company is acquiring ownership and control of another company through a purchase agreement. This often involves transferring assets, liabilities, and equity to the acquiring company.

Are there formal alternatives to "being bought by"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "being acquired by" or "being purchased by". These are often used in legal or financial contexts.

How is "being bought by" different from "being merged with"?

"Being bought by" implies a clear transfer of ownership from one entity to another. "Being merged with", on the other hand, suggests a more equal joining of two entities, often resulting in a new, combined organization.

When is it appropriate to use "being bought by" in writing?

Use "being bought by" when you want to clearly and directly communicate that one entity has acquired ownership of another. It is appropriate in news articles, business reports, and general informational writing.