we purchased

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of sentence "we purchased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was bought or acquired by someone. For example, "We purchased a new car last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We purchased this house.

The New Yorker

We purchased our house immediately.

The New York Times - Travel

"Of course, we purchased one.

The New York Times

We purchased the house in October.

The New York Times - Travel

We purchased it for $6.8 million.

The New York Times

"We looked for two years before we purchased the building.

The New York Times - Arts

All that we purchased was three exterior walls.

The New York Times

So we purchased an option on the rights".

The Guardian - Film

"The leather chairs we purchased when we were in Switzerland.

The New York Times

We purchased the one next door, too, for guests.

The New York Times

Then we purchased two copies of the book.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we purchased", ensure the context clearly indicates what was bought and why it is relevant to your writing. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid constructions like "it was purchased by us" when the active voice ("we purchased it") is more direct and engaging. Direct voice improves sentence clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we purchased" serves as a declarative statement indicating that a buying action has been completed by the speaker and their group. Ludwig examples confirm its use in reporting acquisitions, investments, and general buying activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we purchased" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that a buying action has been completed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s suitable for a range of contexts, from news reports and academic papers to business communications. While "we bought" serves as a direct synonym, "we purchased" carries a slightly more formal tone. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what was bought and the rationale behind the purchase. Avoid passive voice constructions for better clarity and impact. When considering alternatives, you may want to focus the attention on the nature of the purchase itself, in order to provide a nuanced difference in emphasis to your writing. If the purchase was part of an investment or acquisition, alternatives like "we invested in" or "we acquired" might be more relevant. Remember to use it correctly!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we bought

This is a direct synonym, indicating a straightforward transaction of buying something.

we acquired

Implies a more formal or strategic acquisition, possibly involving a company or asset.

we obtained

Suggests effort or a process was involved in getting something, not necessarily through direct purchase.

we made a purchase of

A more verbose way of stating a purchase, adding emphasis to the action.

we invested in

Highlights the aspect of putting money into something with the expectation of future returns.

we procured

Suggests obtaining something through care or effort, often in a business or official context.

we secured

Emphasizes the act of making something safe or certain, often implying competition or difficulty.

we put money into

Focuses on the financial aspect of the acquisition, similar to investing but less formal.

we took ownership of

Highlights the change of ownership, suggesting a formal transfer of rights.

we came into possession of

A more formal way of saying we obtained something, often used in legal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "we purchased" in a sentence?

Use "we purchased" to describe a buying action your company or group completed. For example, "We purchased new equipment to improve our production efficiency".

What's a more formal way to say "we purchased"?

Alternatives like "we acquired" or "we procured" can add a more formal tone, depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we bought" or "we purchased"?

"We bought" is more casual and direct. "We purchased" is slightly more formal, often used in business or official contexts.

What can I say instead of "we purchased" to emphasize investment?

Consider using "we invested in" if the purchase was made with the expectation of future returns or benefits.