buying things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buying things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of purchasing items or products in various contexts, such as shopping or consumer behavior. Example: "I enjoy buying things online because it saves me time and offers a wider selection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Buying things that rust?

The Economist

It's good for buying things.

Stanford University

"They're buying things they're comfortable with".

The New Yorker

"I love buying things," she laughs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"People enjoy buying things at auction".

The New York Times

Listen, I'm not into buying things.

Harvard Business Review

The least preferred activity is buying things such as books and clothing online.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Then something curious happened: Buying things for the sake of buying things got old.

The Washington Post

"It's great that they are buying things," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

As far as buying thing online, yes, I've bought things through the Internet.

Forbes

They bought things.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "buying things" when you want to refer to general consumer behavior or the act of making purchases without specifying particular items. It's versatile and suitable for a wide range of contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "buying things" too frequently in formal writing. Instead, specify what is being bought or use more precise terms like "acquiring assets" or "purchasing inventory" to add clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buying things" primarily functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the activity of purchasing or acquiring items. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's usable and correct in English. The examples show it in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "buying things" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the act of purchasing items. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As a gerund phrase, it functions as a noun, describing consumer behavior or economic activity. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of the context and opt for more precise terms like "acquiring assets" or "purchasing inventory" in professional writing. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, science, and wiki sources, making it a widely understood and accepted expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making purchases

Focuses on the action of buying in a more general sense.

purchasing items

More formal alternative that emphasizes the act of acquiring something.

acquiring goods

Similar to purchasing but focuses on the goods obtained.

shopping for products

More specific and emphasizes the process of looking for items to buy.

picking up items

Informal and suggests a casual act of buying.

obtaining merchandise

More formal and highlights the acquisition of goods for resale or trade.

securing possessions

Emphasizes the act of gaining ownership of items.

procuring commodities

Formal and often used in business or economic contexts.

investing in assets

Implies a financial purpose behind the purchase.

consuming goods

Focuses on the use of the items after they are bought.

FAQs

How can I use "buying things" in a sentence?

You can use "buying things" to describe the general act of purchasing. For example: "I enjoy "buying things" online because it's convenient".

What are some alternatives to "buying things"?

Some alternatives include "making purchases", "acquiring goods", or "shopping for products". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "buying things"?

Yes, "buying things" is grammatically correct. It functions as a gerund phrase, where "buying" is a verb acting as a noun.

What's the difference between "buying things" and "making purchases"?

"Buying things" is a more general and informal way to describe the act of purchasing, while "making purchases" is more formal and often used in business or financial contexts.