which was purchased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was purchased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to provide additional information about an item or object that has been bought. Example: "The book, which was purchased last week, has already become a favorite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The green machine, which was purchased new by the owner, Rob Canzano, was No. 46.

The New York Times

The three defendants were subsidiaries of National Medical Care Inc., which was purchased by Fresenius during the investigation.

The New York Times

He said he took a $9,000 loss on the house, which was purchased by a physician.

The New York Times

The hospital's machine, which was purchased with money from a government research grant, has never been used.

The New Yorker

The Millrose Games, which was purchased by Pro Sports & Entertainment in the fall, will also feature significant revisions.

The New York Times - Sports

A fourth generation partner of F.S. Smithers & Co., founded by his greatgrandfather, which was purchased by PaineWebber Inc. in 1973.

The New York Times

The About.com guide site, which was purchased by the Times Company in 2005, is published using the WordPress platform.

The New York Times

Mr. Slootman was previously chief executive of Data Domain, which was purchased by EMC in 2009 for $2.9 billion.

The New York Times

Hotels Agoda.com, which was purchased by Priceline in 2007, is a good place to begin your search.

The New York Times - Travel

The pocket watch, which was purchased by an anonymous Asian collector, had a sentimental connection for Dean.

The New York Times

A spokesman for Caesars, which was purchased in December 1999 by Park Place Entertainment in Las Vegas, said the company was cooperating with the Civil Rights Division.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was purchased", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being referred to and why the purchase is relevant to the information being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "which was purchased". Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence to use an active voice for a more direct and engaging style (e.g., "... which the company purchased...").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was purchased" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun. It introduces a clause that modifies the noun, specifying that it was obtained through buying. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which was purchased" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to provide additional information about something that has been bought. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and common in English writing. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and general reference materials. While versatile, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives for a more engaging tone. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "which was purchased" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was bought

Uses a more direct and common synonym for "purchased".

that had been bought

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize the completion of the purchase before a specific point in time.

that was acquired

Employs a more formal synonym, suggesting a broader range of acquisition methods beyond just buying.

which was obtained

Indicates a process of gaining possession, which may or may not involve a purchase.

which was procured

Suggests a formal or official acquisition process.

which was secured

Implies effort or competition in the acquisition process.

which was claimed

Suggests ownership or possession was established.

that came into possession

Focuses on the act of gaining ownership, regardless of how it was obtained.

which was secured by

Specifies the entity that did the acquiring.

that changed hands

Highlights the transfer of ownership from one party to another.

FAQs

How can I use "which was purchased" in a sentence?

Use "which was purchased" to add extra information about something that has been bought. For example: "The house, "which was purchased" last year, is now being renovated."

What are some alternatives to "which was purchased"?

You can use phrases like "that was bought", "that was acquired", or "which was obtained" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "which was purchased" or "that was purchased"?

Both "which was purchased" and "that was purchased" are grammatically correct. "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (providing extra information), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). Choose based on whether the clause is essential to understanding the sentence.

What is the difference between "which was purchased" and "which was acquired"?

"Purchased" specifically implies buying something, while "acquired" is a broader term that includes obtaining something through various means, such as purchase, gift, or inheritance. Using "which was acquired" can be more appropriate if the method of obtaining is not specifically a purchase.