bought already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bought already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been purchased prior to the current moment or context. Example: "I wanted to buy that book, but I see you have bought already."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Pomegranate seeds, which I bought already pried from their husks from the greengrocer, were a glistening garnish.

The New York Times - Food

I added lime juice, zest and chili powder to jicama, and set out pepitas I bought already roasted.

The New York Times

When the one-year C.D. comes due, you roll it into a five-year C.D. (or whatever the longest term is that you've bought already).

The New York Times

Others, like the Soundsuits made of human hair (bought already dyed from a wholesaler in New York), tend to fall in the quiet, whispery range.

The New York Times - Arts

"I bought already a Piotr Uklanski and a Jeppe Hein," Joanna Przetakiewicz, a collector based in London and St. Moritz, said early Thursday afternoon, tapping open her smartphone to check the details of an hourlong shopping spree during which she had spent close to a million dollars on just two works.

The New York Times

If you haven't bought already, you might wait a bit in hopes the prices will slump further with a downgrade.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

So buy, already.

The New York Times

Or buy already thick Greek yogurt or lebna in Middle Eastern markets.

The New York Times

For an optimistic whiff of spring, pot up a few hyacinth bulbs, which you can buy already growing for £1.50 each.

Independent

Both those times I first tried to buy already built houses but couldn't find one I liked, so built one I did.

Los Angeles Times

Buy already made buttons.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bought already" to emphasize the completion of a purchase before a particular time or event, often to preempt a suggestion or action. For example, 'Don't worry, I bought the tickets already.'

Common error

While grammatically sound, "bought already" can sound slightly informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider using "already purchased" or "previously acquired" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bought already" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that the action of buying has been completed prior to the time of speaking. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bought already" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that a purchase has been completed before a specific time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. Although less common than alternatives like "already bought" or "already purchased", "bought already" is acceptable in neutral to informal contexts, particularly in news articles and general discussions. While its frequency is rare, understanding its usage can add nuance to your writing. Remember to consider your audience and the formality of the situation when choosing between "bought already" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Already purchased

Reverses the word order for a slightly different emphasis.

Previously bought

Uses 'previously' to explicitly indicate a past action.

Bought beforehand

Emphasizes the action of buying in advance.

Acquired already

Substitutes "bought" with "acquired", suggesting broader means of obtaining something.

Already secured

Implies that something was obtained through effort, not just purchase.

Already in possession of

Formal way to mention ownership.

Previously obtained

Similar to 'acquired', but emphasizes the act of getting something.

Already gotten

More informal way of saying 'already acquired'.

Pre-purchased

Highlights that purchase happened before a specific event.

Already had

Simple expression for the fact that someone had something prior to this time.

FAQs

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

You can use "bought already" to indicate that a purchase has been completed before the present moment or a specific event. For example, "I've bought the tickets already, so we can go straight to the venue."

What are some alternatives to "bought already"?

Alternatives include "already purchased", "previously bought", or "already acquired". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "already bought" instead of "bought already"?

Yes, "already bought" is a more common and often preferred phrasing. "Bought already" emphasizes the action's completion and can sound slightly less formal or more emphatic.

What is the difference between "bought already" and "have already bought"?

"Bought already" is a shorter form that implies the action has been completed. "Have already bought" uses the present perfect tense to emphasize the action's relevance to the present. For example, "I have already bought the gift" stresses that you don't need to buy it now.