to buying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to buying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where "to" is part of an infinitive phrase that includes a gerund, often indicating a purpose or intention. Example: "She is committed to buying a new car this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's closer to buying an option".

The New York Times

He compared it to buying a car.

The New York Times

There are advantages and disadvantages to buying".

The New York Times

Everybody here got used to buying water.

The New York Times

They're used to buying what they want".

The New York Times

Will kids go back to buying CDs?

The Guardian - Tech

The same applies to buying Lego too.

The Guardian - Opinion

When it came to buying the horse, everything went smoothly.

The New Yorker

I was pretty close to buying a gun, actually.

The New Yorker

Many have taken to buying food and water on credit.

The Economist

"Sometimes, you're relegated to buying that lottery ticket," Beane said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to buying", ensure that the verb preceding "to" requires a preposition before a gerund. For example, "addicted to buying", "used to buying", "committed to buying" are all correct. Pay attention to the specific verb's requirements.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb after "to" when it should be a gerund. For example, it's incorrect to say "I am used to buy" instead of "I am used to buying". The preposition "to" requires a gerund in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to buying" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. As shown in Ludwig, it often indicates a direction, purpose, or commitment towards acquiring something. It complements verbs that require a preposition before a gerund.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to buying" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying verbs or nouns to indicate intention, inclination, or habit related to purchases. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, ensure that "to buying" follows a verb that requires a preposition before a gerund. Alternatives include "towards purchasing" or "in order to acquire" depending on the formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

towards purchasing

Replaces "buying" with its formal synonym "purchasing", adding a sense of direction with "towards".

in order to acquire

Emphasizes the purpose of acquiring something, replacing "buying" with a more formal alternative.

with the aim of purchasing

Highlights the intention behind the action, using "purchasing" as a formal substitute for "buying".

for the purpose of obtaining

Focuses on the goal of obtaining something, offering a more elaborate expression than "to buying".

directed at acquiring

Suggests a focused effort towards acquiring something, differing slightly in tone from "to buying".

intending to procure

Implies a formal intention to procure something, adding a layer of sophistication.

with a view to buying

Emphasizes the perspective or intention behind buying, adding a nuanced meaning.

focused on procuring

Indicates a concentrated effort on procuring something, slightly shifting the emphasis.

geared towards acquisition

Suggests an organized or structured approach to acquisition, differing in formality.

in anticipation of acquiring

Highlights the expectation of acquiring something, adding a temporal element.

FAQs

How do I use "to buying" correctly in a sentence?

Use "to buying" after verbs or phrases that require a preposition before a gerund. For example, "They are addicted "to buying"", "She is accustomed "to buying"", or "He is committed "to buying"".

What are some alternatives to using "to buying"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "towards purchasing", "in order to acquire", or "with the aim of purchasing".

Is there a difference between "to buy" and "to buying"?

Yes, "to buy" is an infinitive, while "to buying" uses a gerund after a preposition. Use "to buy" when indicating purpose (e.g., "I went to the store to buy milk"). Use "to buying" after verbs/phrases that take a preposition (e.g., "She is addicted "to buying" shoes").

Which is correct: "used to buy" or "used to buying"?

"Used "to buying"" is correct when referring to a past habit. "Used to buy" is incorrect in this context. For example, "I am used "to buying" groceries online" is the correct usage.