buy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'buy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about purchasing something, or in a figurative sense such as buying someone's story or argument. Example sentence: I decided to buy a new car last month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I don't buy that".

The New York Times

"Can the government require you to buy a cell phone because that would facilitate responding when you need emergency services?

The Guardian

The legal argument focused on the challenge to core of the legislation – its requirement that almost all Americans buy health insurance.

The Guardian

Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop Want to tell the world about a book you've read?

The Guardian

In the second day of hearings on Tuesday, the judges described the two-year-old law as fundamentally changing the relationship between the individual and the government, giving Congress virtually unlimited power to force people to buy products for their own good.

The Guardian

People would pay their taxes when they buy things and wouldn't need to worry about keeping records or filing tax returns at all.

The New York Times

The result is a consumer financial-protection agency that's prevented from overseeing one of the most common, and most important, financial products that consumers buy.

The Economist

But Waldfogel's studies also suggest a very different solution: if most of the presents we buy are going to be less valuable in monetary terms than in sentimental ones, then there's no reason to believe that the more expensive gift is a better gift.

The Economist

"This is because the state would not pay for people to buy their food or pay their mortgage or their rent if they were living at home".

The Guardian

Each year, on the anniversary of their first date, Fitt would buy stockings and chocolates, and repeat his journey to see the woman who would become his wife.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nick Hopkinson of Property Portfolio Rescue, which buys houses from distressed buy-to-let borrowers, describes the Nationwide's reported increase as a "statistical blip" which would "not fool anybody who is struggling to sell their home or obtain realistic mortgage finance in the real world".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "buy" in a sentence, ensure the object of the verb is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what you are buying: "I want to buy a new car."

Common error

Avoid using "buy" with incorrect prepositions. It's incorrect to say "buy of" or "buy from", but correct to say "buy from" a seller or "buy something with" money.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "buy" is as a verb, indicating the act of acquiring something in exchange for payment. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it can also be used figuratively to mean accepting or believing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "buy" is a versatile verb that primarily signifies obtaining something in exchange for money or goods. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, also extending to metaphorical meanings like accepting an idea. With a very common frequency, it's predominantly found in News & Media contexts. When writing, it's best to ensure clarity by specifying the object of "buy" and avoiding incorrect preposition usage. Alternatives like "purchase", "acquire", and "obtain" provide nuanced options for expressing the act of acquisition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purchase

Focuses specifically on acquiring something with money.

acquire

A more formal term for getting something, not necessarily with money.

obtain

Emphasizes the effort involved in getting something.

procure

Suggests acquiring something with care or effort, often in a business context.

secure

Implies obtaining something, often through competition or difficulty.

invest in

Highlights the financial aspect of acquiring something with the expectation of future benefit.

pick up

An informal way of saying "buy", especially for smaller items.

get hold of

Indicates acquiring something that might be difficult to obtain.

take on board

Implies accepting or believing something, like an idea.

fall for

Means to be deceived into believing something.

FAQs

How can I use "buy" in a sentence?

You can use "buy" in a sentence to indicate the act of purchasing something, such as "I need to "buy" groceries" or "She wants to "buy" a house".

What are some alternatives to the word "buy"?

Some alternatives to "buy" include "purchase", "acquire", and "obtain". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "buy for cheap"?

While commonly used, the phrase "buy for cheap" is often considered redundant. It's more concise to say "buy cheaply" or "buy at a low price". Alternatively, you could consider "get a "steal"" or "get a "bargain"".

What's the difference between "buy" and "invest"?

"Buy" generally refers to acquiring something for immediate use or consumption. "Invest", on the other hand, implies purchasing something with the expectation of future financial return or benefit. For example, you might "buy" a car, but "invest in" stocks.