bought
A1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
The simple past and past participle form of the verb 'buy', meaning to have obtained something in exchange for money.
Beyond the basic transaction, can imply the finality of a purchase, the assumption of responsibility (e.g., 'bought into an idea'), or the acceptance of a consequence (e.g., 'bought it' meaning died).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an irregular verb form, 'bought' covers both a single completed past action and a past participle used in perfect tenses and passive voice. It inherently implies a concluded transaction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] bought [Direct Object] (I bought a book).[Subject] bought [Indirect Object] [Direct Object] (She bought me a coffee).[Subject] bought [Direct Object] for [Indirect Object] (He bought a ring for her).[Subject] bought [Direct Object] from [Source] (We bought the sofa from them).[Subject] bought [Direct Object] at [Location] (They bought groceries at the market).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bought it (slang for died or was fired)”
- “bought the farm (died)”
- “bought time (delayed)”
- “bought into (accepted an idea/plan)”
- “bought and paid for (corrupt)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in financial reports, transactions, and procurement contexts (e.g., 'The company bought out its competitor').
Academic
Used in economic, historical, or sociological texts discussing consumption or trade.
Everyday
The most common context, for any personal purchase.
Technical
Used in finance (e.g., 'bought deal'), computing (e.g., 'bought license'), and law (e.g., 'bought note').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She bought a new jumper at the market.
- Have you bought your train ticket yet?
- They've bought a lovely cottage in Cornwall.
American English
- He bought a new sweater at the mall.
- Did you buy your bus ticket yet?
- They bought a cute cottage in Vermont.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use for 'bought'.
American English
- No standard adverbial use for 'bought'.
adjective
British English
- The bought-in components were faulty. (as in purchased from elsewhere)
- It was a bought apology, not sincere.
American English
- The store-bought cookies can't compare to homemade.
- His loyalty seemed bought and paid for.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I bought milk and bread.
- She bought a red dress.
- We bought this car last year.
- They have already bought tickets for the concert.
- He bought me a beautiful necklace for my birthday.
- I bought this book from a small online shop.
- Having bought the company, the new CEO initiated major reforms.
- If I had bought the shares then, I'd be rich now.
- The politician was accused of being bought by lobbyists.
- The asset was bought at a significant premium, reflecting its strategic value.
- She bought herself time by requesting additional data from the research team.
- He never really bought into the corporate ethos and eventually left.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I brought what I BOUGHT.' Both have 'ough' and are past tense, linking carrying something with having purchased it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACQUISITION IS BUYING (e.g., 'bought into a concept'), TIME IS A COMMODITY (e.g., 'bought some time'), and ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY IS PAYING (implied in 'bought it' for accepting blame).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'brought' (принес). 'Bought' is only about покупка.
- Do not use a present tense translation for a past action. 'I buy' is я покупаю, but 'I bought' is я купил/купила.
- The pronunciation /bɔːt/ is very different from the spelling; practice the 'ough' as 'aw' sound.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'buyed' instead of 'bought'.
- Misspelling as 'brought'.
- Incorrectly using present perfect without 'have' (e.g., 'I bought it already' vs. 'I have bought it already' – both can be correct but differ in aspect).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bought' incorrectly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 'Bought' is the past participle used with 'have/has' for present perfect (e.g., I have bought) and also the simple past form (e.g., I bought).
Creating the non-existent regular form 'buyed'. 'Buy' is an irregular verb: buy-bought-bought.
Link 'bought' to 'buy' (both have 'uy' changed to 'ough'). Link 'brought' to 'bring' (both have 'ing').
Not directly. The related noun is 'purchase'. 'Bought' can function as a verbal adjective (e.g., 'store-bought goods').