Brought vs. Bought — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 4, 2023
"Brought" is the past tense of "bring," involving movement, while "bought" is the past tense of "buy," involving a purchase. Both indicate past actions but pertain to different verbs and activities.
Difference Between Brought and Bought
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Key Differences
"Brought" and "Bought" sound similar and are both in the past tense but derive from different base verbs and signify distinct actions. "Brought" emanates from the verb "bring," which entails moving or taking something or someone to a place.
Conversely, "Bought" originates from the verb "buy," which involves acquiring something through a transaction, typically involving an exchange of money. Although they sound quite alike, their meanings diverge significantly based on the verbs they represent.
While "Brought" can be utilized in various contexts to illustrate the action of carrying, introducing, or producing something, "Bought" is exclusively used to indicate the act of purchasing, be it in a casual shopping scenario or a strategic business acquisition.
Notably, "Brought" may describe a myriad of scenarios such as introducing ideas, escorting people, or presenting items, while "Bought" remains largely tied to transactions, purchases, and acquisitions, holding monetary connotations.
Accurate usage of "Brought" and "Bought" is vital for clear communication, ensuring that the intended message, whether it be about moving something/someone ("Brought") or completing a purchase ("Bought"), is effectively conveyed to the audience.
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Comparison Chart
Base Verb
Bring
Buy
Involves Movement?
Yes
No
Involves Transaction?
No
Yes
Example Action
Carrying
Purchasing
Sample Sentence
He brought cake
She bought shoes
Compare with Definitions
Brought
Moved something to a location
She brought her backpack to the park.
Bought
Acquired in exchange for payment
She bought a new dress.
Brought
Presented or introduced
She brought a new proposal to the meeting.
Bought
Acquired possession for payment
They bought a new house last year.
Brought
Caused feelings or states
The movie brought tears to my eyes.
Bought
Obtained by sacrifice
He bought success with hard work.
Brought
Caused to be in a particular state
The news brought joy to us.
Bought
Paid to free from obligation
She bought time with an excuse.
Brought
Led someone to a place
He brought his friend to the party.
Bought
Accepted the truth of
He bought the alleged story unknowingly.
Brought
Past tense and past participle of bring.
Bought
Bought is a 1931 American Pre-Code drama film produced and released by Warner Bros. and directed by Archie Mayo.
Brought
Simple past tense and past participle of bring
Bought
Past tense and past participle of buy. See Note at boughten.
Bought
Simple past tense and past participle of buy.
She bought an expensive bag last week.
People have bought gas masks.
Our products can be bought at your local store.
Bought
(obsolete) A bend; flexure; curve; a hollow angle.
Bought
(obsolete) A bend or hollow in a human or animal body.
Bought
(obsolete) A curve or bend in a river, mountain chain, or other geographical feature.
Bought
(obsolete) The part of a sling that contains the stone.
Bought
(obsolete) A fold, bend, or coil in a tail, snake's body etc.
Bought
A flexure; a bend; a twist; a turn; a coil, as in a rope; as the boughts of a serpent.
The boughts of the fore legs.
Bought
The part of a sling that contains the stone.
Bought
Purchased; bribed.
Common Curiosities
Can "Brought" mean escorting someone?
Indeed, "Brought" can mean leading or escorting a person.
Does "Bought" indicate a purchase?
Correct, "Bought" refers to having purchased something.
Can "Brought" imply introducing something?
Absolutely, "Brought" can mean introducing items or ideas.
Does "Brought" mean carrying something to a place?
Yes, "Brought" entails carrying something to a specific location.
Does "Brought" involve the past action of bring?
Yes, "Brought" is the past tense of "bring."
Is "Bought" related to financial transactions?
Yes, "Bought" commonly refers to actions involving payments.
Is "Bought" used in the context of buying time?
Yes, "Bought" can metaphorically imply gaining extra time.
Is "Bought" related to the verb "buy"?
Correct, "Bought" is the past tense of "buy."
Is "Brought" related to movement?
Yes, "Brought" involves bringing or moving something/someone.
Can "Bought" mean believed in a deceptive story?
Yes, "Bought" can informally mean believing something false.
Does “Brought” imply a certain direction?
Often, "Brought" implies moving something towards a place or person.
Is “Bought” about past transactions?
Exactly, "Bought" pertains to past purchasing activities.
Can “Brought” mean causing a particular state?
Yes, e.g., "The story brought sadness."
Can “Bought” refer to acquiring possessions?
Yes, "Bought" indicates possession acquired through payment.
Can “Brought” relate to presenting ideas?
Yes, “Brought” can refer to presenting ideas or issues.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
