gives purchase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gives purchase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something provides a firm grip or foothold, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The new policy gives purchase to our efforts in promoting sustainability within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It gives purchase information the most weight, followed by consumption data gathered from the iTunes plug-in, followed by your ratings and other data.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Wallaby is an app that tracks your various cards and makes recommendations about the best one to use for a given purchase.

The New York Times

As of now, most economists measure utility in American dollars, but back in the day they used utils — abstract units of utility — to measure the amount of happiness you'd get out of a given purchase.

The New York Times

Martin demonstrates how to tie crampons under our walking boots – the metal spikes will give purchase on the ice.

BBC

It turns out consumers find the exercise of weighing a delivery charge for a given purchase a prohibitive task  —  Amazon completely alleviates that.

TechCrunch

I think it's super cool that you gave purchase limits to folks this morning.

Huffington Post

At the beginning, those involved in the transaction (customer, card issuer, merchant and merchant's bank) send and receive information to authorise or reject a given purchase.

Huffington Post

On older Priuses, the small fins which give purchase to fingers and screwdriver shafts will readily break if given half a chance.

WikiHow

Indians proved that if they are given purchasing power through employment schemes, they will survive even when food is scarce.

The Economist

On top of that, giving purchasing power to GPs means they will become businesses and will do the things that make them money, not what's in the best interests of the patients.

The Guardian

The surreal emptiness of detail draws the eyes in for a moment, prodding the imagination, but gives no purchase for further visual inquiry.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gives purchase" when you want to convey that something provides a firm grip or a starting point for further action. It can be used both literally (in a physical sense) and figuratively (in an abstract sense, such as an argument or strategy).

Common error

Avoid using "gives purchase" only in literal contexts. While it can refer to physical grip, its strength lies in its figurative application to describe how an idea, strategy, or argument gains traction or influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gives purchase" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'gives' is the verb and 'purchase' acts as a noun in this context. It describes the action of providing a means for something to gain a firm hold or to be effective. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gives purchase" is a verb phrase that signifies providing a means for something to gain a firm hold or be effective. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, it is suitable for use in both literal and figurative contexts, frequently appearing in News & Media and Wiki sources. When writing, remember to consider both the literal and figurative applications of the phrase to fully leverage its descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provides a grip

Focuses on the physical aspect of holding or grasping something.

offers a foothold

Emphasizes the support or stability that something provides.

supplies leverage

Highlights the advantage gained by using something effectively.

grants an advantage

Focuses on the beneficial outcome or edge that something provides.

affords a grip

A more formal way of saying "provides a grip."

secures a hold

Emphasizes the act of firmly establishing a grip.

establishes traction

Focuses on the ability to move forward or make progress.

furnishes support

Highlights the act of providing assistance or backing.

lends stability

Emphasizes the act of making something more firm or secure.

creates a foundation

Focuses on building a strong and reliable base.

FAQs

How can I use "gives purchase" in a sentence?

You can use "gives purchase" to describe something that provides a firm grip or a starting point, either literally or figuratively. For instance, "The rough surface gives purchase to the climber's boots", or "The new evidence gives purchase to the prosecutor's argument".

What are some alternatives to saying "gives purchase"?

Alternatives include "provides a grip", "offers a foothold", or "supplies leverage". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "gives purchase" formal or informal?

"Gives purchase" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It is suitable for both professional and news contexts, but might sound unusual in very informal conversation.

What does it mean when something "gives purchase"?

When something "gives purchase", it provides a means for a firm hold, grip, or influence. It suggests that something gains traction or becomes more effective due to the element that "gives purchase". Consider "grants an advantage" or "affords a grip" as similar idioms.