purchasing this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purchasing this" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of buying a specific item or service. Example: "I am considering purchasing this new laptop." Alternative expressions include "buying this" and "acquiring this."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Purchasing this home requires approval from the Overseas Investment Office.

The New York Times

"You're purchasing this for lifestyle as well as an investment," he said.

The New York Times

By purchasing this subscription you agree your access will start immediately.

The Times

By purchasing this subscription you agree your digital access will start immediately.

The Times

I'm hesitant to suggest that patients watch it; I'm not looking to scare people into purchasing this mask.

The New Yorker

By purchasing this single set of products and services, the carriers could save considerable time and expense.

Harvard Business Review

Whatever institution ends up purchasing this assemblage will acquire a resource that would now be impossible to buy piece by piece.

The New York Times - Books

The reason for purchasing this motel was to satisfy my voyeuristic tendencies and compelling interest in all phases of how people conduct their lives, both socially and sexually. . . .

The New Yorker

Many thanks for purchasing this book, which raises money for the Labour Party and good luck in the forthcoming election!!" What can we say?

Independent

Students, if interested in purchasing this title with Mastering Chemistry, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID.

Stanford University

Students, if interested in purchasing this title with Mastering Astronomy, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "purchasing this" instead of "buying this" to maintain a professional tone. For example, in legal or business documents, "purchasing this" is generally preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "purchase" as a verb when a noun is needed. For instance, instead of saying "Purchasing this is a good idea", rephrase it as "Making this purchase is a good idea" or "Buying this is a good idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purchasing this" functions as a gerund phrase, where "purchasing" acts as a verb functioning as a noun. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Unknown

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "purchasing this" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the action of buying or acquiring something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct to use. While it can be used in various contexts, it tends to be more common in news and media, academic, and scientific sources. For more casual communication, "buying this" may be a better fit. There are other alternatives that fit the context as well, for example: "acquiring this", "obtaining this" or "investing in this".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

buying this

Replaces "purchasing" with the more common and informal term "buying".

making this purchase

Rephrases the sentence structure while keeping the same core meaning.

acquiring this

Substitutes "purchasing" with "acquiring", suggesting a more formal or strategic acquisition.

going ahead with this purchase

Adds the aspect of decision-making and commitment to the purchase.

obtaining this

Replaces "purchasing" with "obtaining", which can imply getting something, not necessarily through a monetary transaction.

deciding to buy this

Focuses on the decision-making process leading to the purchase.

securing this

Changes "purchasing" to "securing", implying an effort to ensure ownership or access.

procuring this

Replaces "purchasing" with a more formal term "procuring" often used in business contexts.

investing in this

Frames the action as an investment, highlighting the potential future benefits.

picking this up

Replaces "purchasing" with a colloquial term "picking this up" often used in informal contexts.

FAQs

What is a more formal alternative to "purchasing this"?

A more formal alternative to "purchasing this" is "acquiring this", which suggests a strategic acquisition. It is suitable for business, legal, or academic contexts.

Is it always appropriate to use "purchasing this" in informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "purchasing this" may sound overly formal in casual conversations. In informal settings, "buying this" is usually more appropriate.

How does "investing in this" differ from "purchasing this"?

Investing in this implies that the purchase is expected to yield future benefits or returns, whereas "purchasing this" simply refers to the act of buying something. The former is more suitable when highlighting the long-term value of the acquisition.

When should I use "procuring this" instead of "purchasing this"?

Use "procuring this" when referring to obtaining something through official channels, especially within a business or governmental context. It often implies a formal process.