buy capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buy capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to purchasing resources, services, or capabilities, often in business or technical discussions. Example: "To meet the increased demand, we need to buy capacity from our cloud service provider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I was spending like a drunken sailor to buy capacity from anyone who was open," he recalled.

The New York Times

Likewise, Qwest said it needed to buy capacity on Global Crossing's trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic routes to meet its customers' needs.

The New York Times

It makes sense to buy capacity to build a virtual global network where it is too expensive for each firm to build its own network.

The Economist

The energy companies hoped to build a big business in the so-called broadband market, where telephone companies and Internet service providers buy capacity to send high-speed transmissions over advanced fiber optic networks.

The New York Times

"It's common in the telecommunication industry for carriers to buy capacity from each other in order to provide service in an area where one company has routes or capacity that another needs in order to service customers," Ms. Kresler said.

The New York Times

But he also expressed caution that with so many wireless networks under construction around the world, companies like Telus might find themselves in tough competition with new marketers who are able to buy capacity at inexpensive rates.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Any country with seventy billion dollars of buying capacity cannot really be hurt by sanctions".

The New Yorker

Already, he notes, Vodafone sometimes provides fixed/mobile bundles to big corporate customers, by buying capacity from fixed-line operators.

The Economist

"They're buying capacity with the thought that they will be able to produce more effectively and at lower costs," he said.

The New York Times

Others are freight forwarders, buying capacity on ships and cargo planes, and putting together loads from different companies to fill them.

The Economist

Qwest has admitted buying capacity from and selling it to the same counterparties, but has insisted that such deals were motivated by business need alone.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term resource planning, specify the type of "capacity" you are referring to (e.g., processing, storage, bandwidth) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid only focusing on immediate needs; consider future growth and scalability when you "buy capacity". Purchasing fixed capacity without considering future needs could lead to costly upgrades or replacements later.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buy capacity" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting as a direct object. The verb "buy" indicates the action of acquiring, while "capacity" specifies what is being acquired. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "buy capacity" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase that is used to describe the action of purchasing or acquiring resources or capabilities. It most frequently appears in news articles, scientific publications, and formal business documents. While not extremely common, it is well-understood and serves an important communicative function in professional contexts. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is standard and can be readily used in relevant writing. Related terms include "purchase capacity", "acquire capacity", and "obtain capacity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purchase capacity

Replaces "buy" with "purchase", emphasizing a more formal acquisition.

acquire capacity

Substitutes "buy" with "acquire", highlighting the gaining of possession or control.

obtain capacity

Replaces "buy" with "obtain", focusing on the attainment of capacity.

secure capacity

Changes "buy" to "secure", emphasizing the act of making capacity certain or safe.

lease capacity

Replaces "buy" with "lease", indicating a rental agreement rather than outright purchase.

rent capacity

Similar to lease, suggesting a temporary acquisition of capacity.

procure capacity

Uses "procure" instead of "buy", suggesting a formal or official acquisition process.

source capacity

Emphasizes the act of finding and obtaining capacity from a supplier or provider.

reserve capacity

Suggests setting aside capacity for future use, rather than immediate acquisition.

contract for capacity

Replaces "buy" with "contract for", highlighting a formal agreement to obtain capacity.

FAQs

What does it mean to "buy capacity" in business?

In business, to "buy capacity" typically refers to purchasing or leasing resources like bandwidth, storage, or production capabilities to meet current or future demands. It allows a company to expand its operations without investing heavily in infrastructure.

What's the difference between leasing and buying capacity?

Buying capacity involves a one-time purchase of resources, while leasing capacity is like renting, providing temporary access to resources. Leasing is preferable for short-term needs, while buying is better for long-term, consistent usage.

What are alternatives to the phrase "buy capacity"?

You can use alternatives like "acquire capacity", "obtain capacity", or "secure capacity" depending on the context.

How do companies decide whether to build or "buy capacity"?

Companies weigh factors like cost, time, and strategic importance. Building capacity requires a significant upfront investment and time, while "buying capacity" offers immediate access to resources but may be more expensive long term. If the resource is core to their business, building is more reasonable in the long run, otherwise, buying capacity might be a good option.