previously bought

USAGE SUMMARY

"previously bought" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe an action or item that was purchased in the past and is still relevant in the present. Example: The previously bought furniture looked brand new after being cleaned and polished.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It previously bought another affiliate, US Unwired.

The New York Times

One Savings Bank has previously bought a £400m consumer loan.

The Guardian - Business

Novation had previously bought its IV catheters from another company.

The New York Times

It previously bought the Rosetta Marketing Group, Razorfish and Digitas.

The New York Times

Wasps had previously bought a 50% shareholding in ACL from Coventry City council last month.

The Guardian - Sport

Newsies had previously bought papers to sell on for 50 cents per 100.

The Guardian - Film

The couple began collecting photographs several years ago, having previously bought paintings, drawings and prints.

The New York Times

And when he returns, it's clear that he's really listened to what he'd previously bought.

The New York Times

They had previously bought a spare key, but unfortunately did not have its chip programmed.

Independent

Saudi Arabia previously bought a fleet of its predecessor Tornados from Britain in the Al Yamamah arms deal.

The Guardian

He said Roof had been "on and off" with his parents, but they had previously bought him a gun.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously bought" to clearly indicate a purchase that occurred before a specific reference point. This helps avoid ambiguity about the timing of the transaction.

Common error

Avoid using "bought before" if the context doesn't clearly establish a reference point. "Previously bought" is often clearer in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously bought" functions as a modifier describing something that has been purchased at an earlier time. It is used to provide context or additional information about a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously bought" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to describe items or services that were purchased at an earlier time. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and frequent usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase serves to provide background information or context about a purchase. When writing, ensure clarity by using "previously bought" to clearly establish the timing of a transaction and avoid potentially ambiguous alternatives like "bought before" when a clear reference point is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bought before

Reorders the words while keeping the meaning of a prior purchase event.

previously acquired

Replaces bought with acquired, keeping previously.

purchased earlier

Uses a synonym for "bought" and an adverb indicating prior time.

acquired in the past

Replaces "bought" with "acquired" and specifies the past.

had purchased before

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize the prior action.

formerly purchased

Uses "formerly" as an adverb to describe the purchase.

once bought

Uses "once" to indicate a past purchase.

bought at an earlier time

Expands on the time element of the purchase.

earlier acquisition

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the acquisition event.

historically purchased

Uses "historically" to emphasize that the purchase occurred in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "previously bought" in a sentence?

Use "previously bought" to describe items or services that someone has purchased at an earlier time. For example, "People who "previously bought tickets" will be contacted by Ticketmaster".

What's a good alternative to "previously bought"?

Alternatives include "purchased earlier", "bought before", or "acquired in the past". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

Is it correct to say "bought previously" instead of "previously bought"?

While grammatically understandable, "previously bought" is more common and natural-sounding. "Bought previously" might be used in specific technical contexts, but "previously bought" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "previously bought" and "already bought"?

"Previously bought" indicates a purchase made at some earlier time, while "already bought" suggests the purchase has been completed before a current situation or question arises. For example, "I've "already bought" the tickets, so you don't need to" implies the action is completed and addresses a current need.