can be bought individually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be bought individually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to items or products that are available for purchase separately rather than as a set or in bulk. Example: "These collectible figurines can be bought individually, allowing you to choose your favorites without having to purchase the entire set."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They can be bought individually or as a set in a presentation pack.

The Guardian

The plans can be bought individually or obtained through some employee benefits packages.

The New York Times

The assets, which have been divided into eight groups, can be bought individually, in combinations or as a whole.

The New York Times

All products can be bought individually or in gift boxes, handsome wooden crates of regional foods, from $60 to $200 at [phone] or www.esperya.com.

The New York Times - Travel

Local guides and other experts lent a hand in creating 13 detailed waterproof maps that can be bought individually or in state-by-state sets at the Web site (www.northernforestcanoetrail.org).org

The New York Times - Travel

14 Experiments in Putting the Stage on the Screen ALL 14 of the movies in the American Film Theater Series are available in color, in either VHS or DVD formats, and can be bought individually for $29.95 in either format or in the boxed sets being released this year by Kino on Video.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A little bag of Jolly Ranchers costs $1.50 and Honey Buns (Keefe of course) and candy bars can only be bought individually at.55 cents each.

Vice

Tickets can be bought online.

The New York Times

Everyone can be bought.

The Guardian

She can be bought.

Huffington Post

Paracetamol can be bought over the counter without a prescription.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing product descriptions, use "can be bought individually" to clearly indicate that items are not exclusively sold as part of a set. This provides customers with flexible purchasing options.

Common error

Avoid using "can be bought individually" when the item is only available individually. The phrase implies an alternative purchase method exists, like a set or bundle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be bought individually" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify the manner in which something is available for purchase. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it indicates items are available for separate purchase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be bought individually" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, indicating items are available for separate purchase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly employed in news and media, science, and business contexts to inform consumers about flexible purchasing options. While alternatives such as "sold separately" or "available individually" exist, "can be bought individually" clearly conveys the possibility of buying items independently, enhancing clarity and avoiding assumptions of mandatory bundled purchases. This contributes to more effective communication in product descriptions and informational content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available for individual purchase

Replaces the verb phrase "can be bought" with a more direct adjective phrase.

sold separately

Uses a more concise and common phrasing to indicate individual availability.

available as single items

Focuses on the fact that the items are offered one at a time.

each item sold separately

Adds emphasis that each item is treated as a separate sale.

items available individually

Rearranges the sentence structure slightly while maintaining the core meaning.

you can buy them one by one

An informal phrasing explaining the option to purchase items independently.

available for purchase one at a time

Similar to 'sold separately' but emphasizes the sequential nature of buying.

sold on an individual basis

A more formal alternative to 'sold separately'.

independently purchasable

A more concise single-word modifier to convey separate purchase option.

not sold as a set

Focuses on the absence of a bundled package, implying individual availability.

FAQs

How can I use "can be bought individually" in a sentence?

You can use "can be bought individually" to describe items available for separate purchase, such as, "The books in the series "can be bought individually" or as a complete set."

What's an alternative to saying "can be bought individually"?

Alternatives include "sold separately", "available individually", or "available for individual purchase" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "can be bought individually"?

While not always necessary, "can be bought individually" clarifies that the item isn't only sold as part of a larger package or set. The emphasis removes potential confusion.

Which is correct: "can be bought individually" or "can be purchased individually"?

Both "can be bought individually" and "can be purchased individually" are grammatically correct. "Purchased" is slightly more formal than "bought".