brought a friend

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "He brought a friend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone has arrived with someone else. For example: "He arrived at the party with a big smile on his face and brought a friend with him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Perot brought a friend from Dallas".

The New York Times - Arts

Malcolm Low brought a friend, Simone Sobers.

The New York Times - Arts

She brought a friend along.

The Guardian

Once, during vacation, she brought a friend to the Chelsea to meet her mom.

The New York Times - Arts

He had brought a friend, a burly fellow, and they went outside regularly for cigarettes.

The New Yorker

When she was in her late 80s, I brought a friend of mine to meet her.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

For a hand massage, bring a friend.

The New York Times

Cool! Can I bring a friend?

The New York Times

People like to bring a friend".

The New York Times

We'd be bringing a friend this year.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said Wax later added: "And bring a friend".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brought a friend", ensure the context clarifies the purpose or reason for bringing the friend to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "brought a friend" when the friend was already part of the plan. Instead, use phrases like "met up with a friend" or "was joined by a friend" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought a friend" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action that was completed in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the act of accompanying someone with a friend. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought a friend" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone being accompanied by a friend. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources. When using "brought a friend", consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the situation. Alternatives include "invited a companion" or "accompanied by a friend", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Avoid using "brought a friend" when the friend was already part of the plan; instead, opt for phrases like "met up with a friend".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accompanied by a friend

Focuses on the action of being accompanied.

invited a companion

Focuses on the act of inviting rather than the act of bringing.

came with a companion

Highlights the arrival with someone.

took a guest

Emphasizes the role of the friend as a guest.

introduced an acquaintance

Highlights the act of introducing someone new.

had someone along

More generic way of saying someone brought someone.

had a friend in tow

Informal way of saying someone brought a friend.

showed up with a pal

Informal, emphasizing the casual nature of the friendship.

enlisted a buddy

Implies the friend was brought for assistance or support.

recruited a comrade

Suggests the friend was brought for a specific purpose, often collaborative.

FAQs

How can I use "brought a friend" in a sentence?

You can use "brought a friend" to indicate that someone arrived with another person. For example: "He "brought a friend" to the party."

What are some alternatives to "brought a friend"?

Alternatives include "invited a companion", "took a guest", or "accompanied by a friend". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "bringed a friend"?

No, "bringed" is not a correct verb form. The past tense of "bring" is "brought", so the correct phrase is ""brought a friend"".

What's the difference between "bringing a friend" and "brought a friend"?

"Bringing a friend" implies an ongoing or future action (e.g., "I am bringing a friend tomorrow"), while ""brought a friend"" indicates a completed action in the past (e.g., "I "brought a friend" to the movies yesterday").