shopping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shopping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the activity of purchasing goods or services, typically in a retail setting. Example: "I spent the afternoon shopping for new clothes at the mall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the daydreaming time somewhere between browsing Instagram and waiting for the models to appear, I started mentally shopping for a new skirt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We went shopping the minute I was selected".

The Guardian

My girlfriend – bless her heart – grabbed her MacBook and commenced shopping.

The Guardian - Sport

While Honor Blackman thoroughly enjoys herself at the OM fashion shoot and likes the clothes - the Alexander McQueen shirt, Miu Miu trousers and Banana Republic Oxford bags draw particular praise - she hates shopping for outfits herself.

The Guardian

· Have a 1 euro coin ready for shopping trolleys.

The Guardian - Travel

The 700 defibrillators will be rolled out in the next month in rail and bus stations, airports, shopping centres and leisure centres.

The Guardian

Join the crowds thronging Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu's main shopping street: the terrace of the House Café is a great spot for a coffee and people-watching (thehousecafe.com.tr).com.tr

The Guardian - Travel

"Schools began to compete no longer on delivering superior quality but on offering shiny school buildings in shopping centres, and I think that's the issue we are really seeing".

The Guardian

For his new book, People of the Twenty-First Century, the photographer and conceptual artist spent 20 years lurking around shopping centres – initially in his native Netherlands, later in America and China.

The Guardian - Arts

I once joined a shopping trip in pursuit of some of this stuff.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clearly, he hadn't bargained on the fact that "paying forward" for the stunt would entail losing his wife, his cat, his last remaining money, and any hope of shopping at the mall again for 12 months after Bloomington police ordered him not to return to the scene for a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "shopping", be specific about the context. For example, specify "online shopping" or "grocery shopping" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume everyone enjoys "shopping". Instead, frame it as a personal preference or a necessary task.

Linguistic Context

The word "shopping" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the activity of buying goods or services. It can also function as a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun). As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Travel

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Arts

10%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "shopping" is a versatile and frequently used noun that describes the activity of buying goods or services. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its usage spans from casual conversations about weekend plans to formal discussions about consumer trends. While alternatives like "purchasing goods" exist, "shopping" remains the most common and widely understood term. When using the term, be specific about the type of "shopping" involved (e.g., "online shopping", "grocery shopping") to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purchasing goods

Focuses on the act of buying rather than the activity of browsing.

online shopping

Specifies that the shopping is done via the Internet.

retail therapy

Implies shopping as a means of emotional comfort or stress relief.

buying spree

Indicates a period of excessive or impulsive buying.

grocery shopping

Specifically refers to purchasing food and household supplies.

retail purchasing

Emphasizes the commercial aspect of making purchases from a retail outlet.

window shopping

Specifically refers to looking at goods without intending to buy.

market browsing

Suggests a casual exploration of items for sale.

errand running

Broader term encompassing various tasks including shopping.

consumerism

Refers to the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable.

FAQs

How can I use "shopping" in a sentence?

"Shopping" can be used as a noun to describe the activity of buying goods or services. Example: "I enjoy "online shopping" for clothes."

What are some alternatives to the word "shopping"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "purchasing goods", "retail therapy", or "grocery shopping".

Is "shopping" formal or informal?

"Shopping" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but more formal alternatives like "making purchases" may be preferred in certain situations.

What's the difference between "shopping" and "consumerism"?

"Shopping" refers to the act of buying things, while "consumerism" refers to the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable.