Buy vs. Purchase
Both 'buy' and 'purchase' refer to the act of acquiring something in exchange for money or other forms of payment and are sometimes used interchangeably. However, 'buy' is more general and commonly used while 'purchase' is typically used for larger and more expensive items and is a more formal term. This lesson will dive into these differences.
Object of Acquisition
'Buy' is a more general term that can be used for all kind of goods and services, large and small. 'Purchase', on the other hand, is mostly used for large or costly items where deals, contracts and rights of ownership are involved. For example:
I'm going to buy some groceries on my way home.
We typically do not use 'purchase' with small and everyday items like groceries.
He bought a new video game online.
The company needs to purchase new equipment for its expansion.
They purchased a large house in the suburbs.
A 'house' is a large and costly item. You can also use 'buy' in this sentence as it is a more general term.
Level of Formality
'Purchase' is typically considered more formal and is commonly used in professional or official contexts, such as legal documents, business transactions, or formal discussions. 'Buy' is more commonly used in everyday conversations and informal settings.
Let's buy some snacks for the movie night.
The government plans to purchase a fleet of electric vehicles for its officials.
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