buy on impulse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buy on impulse" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone buys an item without any thought or planning, for instance, "I often buy on impulse when I see something I like in the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

As one Paris analyst puts it, "consumers now buy on impulse," which means the shops are constantly having to stock up with new things.

The Economist

I buy on impulse, then bring them home and decide on combinations.

The New York Times

Rather than buy on impulse, they first use the Web to gather information and compare prices.

The New York Times - Tech

For expensive, important items, such as automobiles, consumers typically plan purchases rather than buy on impulse.

Harvard Business Review

In this way, retailers can tap into the key segment of consumers who buy on impulse.

The Guardian

"Things like home mortgages have a lower success rate than things you'd buy on impulse.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Upstairs, a marble landing separates the master suite, which has a marble bath with a rain shower, a separate soaking tub and north-facing windows with automatic shades, from the second bedroom, which faces Washington Street and has an en-suite marble bathroom with an oversize rain shower with one wall built from a slab of silver granite Mr. Abbas bought on impulse.

The New York Times

She rarely bought on impulse, though, because she knew exactly what she was after.

The New Yorker

Asked whether he buys on impulse himself, Mr. Couturier replied, "Monthly -- daily".

The New York Times - Style

"If people bought on impulse, their houses would look more like them.

The New York Times - Style

They are priced affordably so they can be bought on impulse.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about consumer behavior, use "buy on impulse" to effectively convey the lack of planning involved in a purchase. This phrase is concise and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "buy on impulse" when describing purchases made out of necessity. This phrase specifically refers to unplanned acquisitions, not essential needs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buy on impulse" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing the action of making a purchase without prior planning or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "buy on impulse" is a common phrase describing unplanned purchases driven by immediate desire. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across contexts like News & Media and Wiki. While the phrase itself is neutrally registered, its implications often carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of forethought. For alternatives, consider "make an impulsive purchase" or "buy spontaneously" to convey similar meanings with slight variations. It's essential to use the phrase accurately, distinguishing it from needs-based purchasing decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an impulsive purchase

Focuses on the act of purchasing rather than the tendency.

purchase without thinking

Emphasizes the lack of forethought in the buying process.

buy spontaneously

Highlights the sudden and unplanned nature of the purchase.

shop impulsively

Shifts the focus to the shopping activity being done on impulse.

indulge in a whim purchase

Implies a desire or sudden fancy being fulfilled through a purchase.

acquire without planning

Stresses the absence of a prior plan in the act of acquiring something.

grab on a whim

Suggests a sudden and unplanned acquisition.

give in to impulse buying

Focuses on the act of surrendering to the urge to buy impulsively.

succumb to a sudden purchase

Conveys yielding to an unplanned buying decision.

snap up without forethought

Emphasizes acquiring quickly and without considering the consequences.

FAQs

What does "buy on impulse" mean?

To "buy on impulse" means to purchase something without planning or thinking about it beforehand. It's often driven by sudden desires or emotions.

What can I say instead of "buy on impulse"?

You can use alternatives like "make an impulsive purchase", "buy spontaneously", or "shop impulsively" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to plan purchases or "buy on impulse"?

Whether it's better to plan or "buy on impulse" depends on your financial goals and personality. Planning can help you stay within budget, while impulse buying can lead to regret or financial strain.

What influences people to "buy on impulse"?

Factors such as marketing tactics, emotions, and personal habits can influence people to "buy on impulse". Retailers often strategically place items to encourage unplanned purchases.