make purchases

USAGE SUMMARY

"make purchases" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to buying something, for example: "I made a few purchases at the store this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make purchases from the movies.

Columbia University

The rest were invited to make purchases.

The New York Times

Instead, they have continued to make purchases.

The New York Times

Can consumers get credit to make purchases?

Harvard Business Review

Sometimes I'm forced to make purchases I end up cherishing.

The New York Times - Travel

"Television marketing fuels consumers to go to the Web and make purchases online or make purchases to their phone," Mr. Yarrington said.

The New York Times

In addition, people are less likely to make purchases on their phones.

The New York Times - Tech

"Now, the longer you wait, the more pressure there is to make purchases.

The New York Times

"They are buying less and electing to make purchases more often with debit cards".

The New York Times

And they can make purchases from Gilt without leaving the Flipboard app.

The New York Times

The dressing room also links shoppers directly to J. C. Penney's Web site to make purchases.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context. Use "make purchases" when emphasizing the act of buying rather than the specific items bought. For instance, "Consumers make purchases online" focuses on the buying behavior.

Common error

While "make purchases" is correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "buy things" or "shop" when speaking informally with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make purchases" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "make" acts as a light verb and "purchases" is the noun. This construction describes the act of buying or acquiring goods or services. Ludwig confirms that this usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make purchases" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression, particularly in News & Media and Academia contexts. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage. While acceptable, it's important to consider the context and audience, as simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for informal communication. The phrase serves the purpose of describing an act of buying or acquiring goods or services, functioning as a verb phrase with a neutral to professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

buy items

Focuses on the action of buying specific items.

acquire goods

Emphasizes the acquisition of physical goods.

complete a transaction

Highlights the formal aspect of finalizing a purchase.

place an order

Refers specifically to ordering something, often online or remotely.

procure items

Implies a more formal or official process of acquiring goods.

obtain products

Focuses on getting products, possibly through purchase or other means.

secure acquisitions

Highlights the act of securing something valuable through buying.

invest in

Suggests a purchase with the expectation of future benefit.

close a deal

Implies reaching an agreement and finalizing a purchase, especially in business.

exercise purchasing options

Specifically refers to utilizing a right to buy something.

FAQs

How can I use "make purchases" in a sentence?

You can use "make purchases" to describe the act of buying something. For example: "Customers can "make purchases" online or in-store."

What are some alternatives to "make purchases"?

Alternatives include "buy items", "acquire goods", or "place an order", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "make purchases" or "do shopping"?

"Make purchases" is more formal and emphasizes the act of buying, while "do shopping" is more casual and refers to the activity of browsing and buying. Use the option appropriate to your register of speech.

What is the difference between "make purchases" and "invest in"?

"Make purchases" refers to the general act of buying something, while "invest in" suggests buying something with the expectation of future benefit or return.