single purchase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "single purchase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a transaction involving the acquisition of one item or service at a time, often in contexts related to sales or marketing. Example: "To take advantage of the discount, you must make a single purchase of at least $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No single purchase was more than $277.

The New York Times - Tech

Sorry, but $3.95 seemed awfully steep for a single purchase.

The New York Times - Tech

The deal marks the largest-ever single purchase order in BlackBerry's history, according to the company.

The Guardian - Tech

It is extremely rare for even a single purchase to end in three zeroes.

The New Yorker

Bought for £1.8m by the British Museum in 1999, its most expensive single purchase.

The Guardian

Think about the global impacts you make with every single purchase".

The New York Times

A single purchase allows customers to download both versions if they so wish.

Harvard University

A single purchase might cost $150, but ordering in bulk brings costs down.

The New York Times

Delivery isn't free for larger orders, so the small sellers can be better for a cheap single purchase.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She writes down "every single purchase she made in her notebook", with the same pen each time.

The Guardian - Books

Keeping a record on paper or on a spreadsheet and manually noting every single purchase and expenditure is time consuming.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the uniqueness or non-repeatable nature of a purchase, use "single purchase" to clearly convey that it's a one-time transaction.

Common error

Avoid replacing "single purchase" with overly complex or verbose alternatives when a simple, direct expression is more effective. Clarity is key in transactional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single purchase" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object or complement in a sentence. It refers to the act of buying something in one transaction. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "single purchase" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a one-time transaction. According to Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to formal business and academia. Related phrases like "one-time buy" or "individual transaction" offer slight variations in emphasis. Remember to use this phrase when clarity is needed regarding the singular nature of a purchase, and avoid overcomplicating your language with unnecessarily complex alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one-time buy

Emphasizes the singular and non-recurring nature of the purchase.

one-off transaction

A casual way to convey that the transaction occurs only once.

once-off purchase

A more colloquial term emphasizing that it happens only once.

individual transaction

Focuses on the transaction aspect, highlighting its isolated nature.

distinct transaction

Emphasizes the separateness and clarity of the transaction.

isolated acquisition

Highlights the act of acquiring something in a single instance.

solo purchase

Implies that the purchase is independent and not part of a bulk order.

sole procurement

Uses more formal language to denote the singular nature of the procurement.

separate acquisition

Highlights that the acquisition is distinct and not part of a larger set.

unique buying event

Stresses the event-like quality of a single buying action.

FAQs

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

You can use "single purchase" to describe a one-time transaction, for example, "The offer applies only to a "one-time purchase"."

What are some alternatives to "single purchase"?

Alternatives include "one-time buy", "individual transaction", or "sole procurement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "one single purchase"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "one single purchase" can be redundant. "Single purchase" already implies that it's a single, individual transaction.

What's the difference between "single purchase" and "bulk purchase"?

"Single purchase" refers to buying one item or a small quantity in one transaction, whereas "bulk purchase" refers to buying a large quantity of items, usually to get a discount.