to be bought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to be bought' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to express the idea of something that can be obtained in exchange for money or other forms of payment. Example: I need to buy some new clothes; luckily, there's a sale on this weekend where everything is marked down to be bought.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They don't even deserve to be bought.

The Guardian

They allowed themselves to be bought off.

The New York Times

Webber allegedly allowed himself to be bought.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am here to be bought.

The Guardian

We're all positioning ourselves to be bought up".

The New Yorker

There are fewer stray tickets to be bought.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's going to be bought by very aggressive buyers".

The New York Times

"I'm not going to be bought by anyone," he said.

The New Yorker

That has yet to be bought or decided.

The Guardian - Sport

It is something to be bought and sold: a commodity.

The Guardian - Music

They don't deserve to be bought by anyone".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "to be bought" to indicate the potential for acquisition or purchase, especially when describing items, companies, or properties that are available or intended for sale.

Common error

Avoid using "to be bought" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The company is to be bought", consider "Someone will buy the company" for a more direct tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be bought" functions primarily as a passive infinitive, indicating a state or possibility of being purchased. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It is often used to describe items or entities that are available for sale or are potential targets for acquisition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be bought" functions as a passive infinitive indicating a state of being available or intended for purchase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news, business, science, and general information sources. The phrase conveys the potential for acquisition and is typically used in a neutral to professional register. When writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects the passive potential for purchase, and consider more direct, active constructions for greater clarity. Its very common usage makes it a practical and well-understood expression in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available for purchase

Focuses on the availability of something for buying.

prepared for purchase

Highlights the readiness of something for acquisition.

up for acquisition

Highlights the potential for one entity to take over another.

ready for acquisition

Emphasizes the preparedness of something to be acquired.

on the market

Indicates something is currently being offered for sale.

subject to buyout

Specifies that something is under consideration for a buyout.

liable to be purchased

Suggests a high likelihood of being bought.

intended for sale

Emphasizes the intention behind making something available for purchase.

slated for acquisition

Highlights that acquisition is planned or scheduled.

poised for acquisition

Implies readiness and anticipation of being acquired.

FAQs

How can I use "to be bought" in a sentence?

You can use "to be bought" to describe something that is available for purchase, such as "This house is "to be bought"" or "The company is expected "to be bought" soon".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to be bought"?

Alternatives include "available for purchase", "up for acquisition", or "on the market" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is to be bought"?

Yes, "is "to be bought"" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive infinitive form and indicates a future action or possibility.

What's the difference between "to be bought" and "to buy"?

"To be bought" implies a passive state, indicating that something will be purchased by someone. "To buy" is an active infinitive, meaning someone will perform the action of purchasing something.