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Bought or Brought?

The difference between "bought" and "brought" is straightforward: "bought" is the past tense of "buy," meaning to purchase something, while "brought" is the past tense of "bring," meaning to carry something to a place.

Definition and Usage of "Bought"

"Bought" is the past tense of "buy." You use it when referring to purchasing something.

  • I bought a new car yesterday.

  • She bought groceries on her way home.

  • They bought tickets for the concert.

In these sentences, "bought" shows the action of purchasing. Other common scenarios using "bought" include:

  • He bought a gift for his mother’s birthday.

  • We bought supplies for the office.

  • They bought a house in the suburbs.

Definition and Usage of "Brought"

"Brought" is the past tense of "bring." You use it when referring to carrying or moving something to a place.

  • He brought his friend to the party.

  • She brought her lunch to work.

  • They brought a gift for the host.

In these sentences, "brought" shows the action of carrying something. Additional examples include:

  • She brought her dog to the vet.

  • He brought his project to the meeting.

  • They brought flowers to the hospital.

Tips and Tricks to Remember the Difference

Use these simple tricks to distinguish between "bought" and "brought":

  • Mnemonic: "Buy" and "bought" both have "u," while "bring" and "brought" have "r."

  • Practice: Write sentences using both words to reinforce understanding.

  • Visual Aid: Create a chart comparing "bought" and "brought" with examples.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are common errors and how to correct them:

  • Incorrect: I bought my lunch to work. Correct: I brought my lunch to work.

  • Incorrect: She brought a new dress. Correct: She bought a new dress.

Practice Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct word (bought or brought):

  1. She ______ a cake for the party.

  2. They ______ new shoes last weekend.

  3. He ______ his laptop to the meeting.

  4. I ______ a book online.

Answers:

  1. brought

  2. bought

  3. brought

  4. Bought

Practice Exercise: Correct the following sentences:

  1. She bought her friend to the picnic.

  2. He brought a new phone yesterday.

  3. They bought a cake to the party.

  4. I brought a new pair of jeans.

Answers:

  1. She brought her friend to the picnic.

  2. He bought a new phone yesterday.

  3. They brought a cake to the party.

  4. I bought a new pair of jeans.

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