bought time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bought time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone delays or postpones an event or decision, often to gain more time to prepare or find a solution. Example: "By negotiating a temporary ceasefire, the leaders bought time to discuss a more permanent peace agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Junior's victory bought time.

The New York Times - Sports

They have simply bought time with petrodollars.

The New York Times

European leaders bought time this week.

The Economist

The ECB has bought time.

The Guardian - Opinion

The European Union has at least bought time.

The New York Times

Repetition bought time and assisted the storage process.

The New Yorker

Mr Abe has bought time, but perhaps not much.

The Economist

But European leaders have, at best, bought time.

The New York Times

It has bought time, but fundamental problems remain.

The New York Times

And many of those adults have bought time shares.

The New York Times

Tells how Gorbachev bought time, is almost out & is waiting for his Presidency to be approved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bought time" when you want to emphasize that an action resulted in a delay, often to achieve a specific goal or prepare for a future event. For example, "The negotiations bought time for the company to restructure its debt."

Common error

Avoid using "bought time" when the action provides a long-term or permanent solution. "Bought time" implies a temporary fix, not a final resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bought time" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the main verb in a sentence. Ludwig shows that it describes the action of delaying or postponing something, often to gain an advantage or opportunity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb phrase "bought time" is grammatically correct and very commonly used, primarily in news and media contexts. It signifies the action of delaying something, typically to gain an advantage or opportunity, as validated by Ludwig. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to ensure that its usage accurately reflects a temporary delay rather than a permanent solution. Related phrases include "stalled for time" and "gained a reprieve", offering similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stalled for time

Implies deliberately delaying to gain an advantage or avoid something.

gained a reprieve

Suggests a temporary relief from a negative situation or obligation.

gained a respite

Suggests a temporary break or pause from something difficult or unpleasant.

delayed the inevitable

Implies that the postponement is only temporary and the outcome is certain.

prolonged the process

Focuses on extending the duration of an activity or procedure.

postponed the deadline

Specifically refers to delaying a set date or time for completion.

extended the duration

Emphasizes the act of making something last longer.

put off the decision

Specifically refers to delaying a choice or resolution.

created a window of opportunity

Highlights the creation of a favorable period for action.

deferred the action

Formally postpones an action to a later time.

FAQs

How to use "bought time" in a sentence?

You can use "bought time" to describe situations where an action delays an event or decision, usually to gain an advantage or prepare. For example, "The central bank's intervention "bought time" for the government to implement its reforms."

What can I say instead of "bought time"?

Alternatives to "bought time" include phrases like "stalled for time", "gained a reprieve", or "delayed the inevitable", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "buy time" instead of "bought time"?

"Buy time" is the infinitive form, used when referring to the act of delaying in general. "Bought time" is the past tense, used when describing a specific instance where time was delayed.

What's the difference between "bought time" and "extended the duration"?

"Bought time" specifically implies that the delay was intentional and aimed at achieving something, while "extended the duration" simply means something lasted longer, without necessarily implying a strategic purpose.