TextRanch
The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

TextRanch Editors

bought an ice cream vs bought ice cream

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Bought an ice cream" refers to a single serving of ice cream (such as a cup or a cone), while "bought ice cream" is used more generally to indicate the action of purchasing ice cream without specifying the quantity or type.
Camille profile picture

Explained by Camille
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 20, 2024 • 13730 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a specific ice cream that was purchased.

"bought an ice cream"

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize the purchase of a particular ice cream, specifying that it was one ice cream among others.

Examples:

  • I bought an ice cream for my daughter.
  • She bought an ice cream with sprinkles on top.
  • Jul 22, 2015 ... Hi, I would like to ask something about present perfect and past tense: a)I have bought an ice cream. Does this mean I bought an ice cream, ...
  • May 17, 2024 ... I had never bought an ice cream tub. Food. r/indiasocial - I had never bought an ice cream tub.
  • Sep 29, 2023 ... I finally bought an ice-cream maker, can I realistically make a batch a day of different flavours over 2 weeks and accumulate them in the ...
  • Jul 22, 2020 ... The girl bought an ice cream cone and took it to the park. A simple sentence is not necessarily simple. Take the following example: The girl—a ...
  • Jun 27, 2021 ... Keanu Reeves bought an ice cream. And it's the most heartwarming story you'll ever read. Thanks to James Dator for sharing on Twitter.
  • Jul 6, 2023 ... Finally bought an ice cream machine at the ripe age of 29 and my world has forever changed Today we made dairy-free cookie dough ice cream.
  • May 28, 2013 ... I bought an ice cream maker. Store-bought ice cream is convenient and, frankly, often cheaper than homemade but there really is something ...
  • Aug 25, 2011 ... I bought an ice cream maker last summer and enjoy using it, so I made two ice cream recipes at home for the party. One was this roasted ...
  • May 11, 2010 ... This one had nothing to do with the bake sale. But, I made it a few weeks ago, after I finally broke down & bought an ice cream maker. I saw ...

Alternatives:

  • purchased an ice cream
  • got an ice cream
  • acquired an ice cream
  • picked up an ice cream
  • obtained an ice cream

This phrase is correct and commonly used in a general sense to indicate the action of purchasing ice cream without specifying the quantity or type.

"bought ice cream"

This phrase is used when you want to convey the idea of buying ice cream in a more general way, without focusing on a specific ice cream.

Examples:

  • I bought ice cream for the party.
  • They bought ice cream at the store.
  • Jul 22, 2015 ... Also, in AmE, ice cream does not take a determiner (unless for specific use) — e.g., I bought ice cream. However you could say "I bought a[n ...
  • Mar 12, 2024 ... store bought ice cream that's not airy and it's just “hard”? Question. I don't know if I'm making any sense but yeah I've bought some ...
  • Apr 21, 2020 ... Here are two ways to turn store-bought ice cream into a soft serve treat: Method 1: Simple Mixing This method is quick and easy, ...
  • May 13, 2022 ... Why does my freshly bought ice cream look like this? Is it safe to eat? Solved.
  • Jul 6, 2023 ... For the sake of ease and time I am using store bought ice cream. I suggest getting your favorite brand. I prefer premium ice creams and natural ...
  • Jul 8, 2024 ... ago. Maleficent_Quality_1. ADMIN MOD. Join. Options. Report. What's the best store bought ice cream you've ever had? Ice Cream! Upvote 15
  • Jun 1, 2011 ... Store-bought Ice Cream Sandwiches. lagoldberg8397. By lagoldberg8397. June 1, 2011 in Ready to Eat. Share. More sharing options... Followers 2 ...
  • Mar 15, 2021 ... I bought ice cream, though when I got home the tub was soft to touch. Is it still safe to put it in the freezer or will I get sick? All ...
  • Dec 19, 2022 ... The Creami is not a blender. No, you can't use ice. If you mean store bought ice cream, yet you can use that to make a milkshake.

Alternatives:

  • purchased ice cream
  • got some ice cream
  • acquired ice cream
  • picked up ice cream
  • obtained ice cream

Related Comparisons

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

  • Emails and short texts
  • Proofreading & editing
  • Ready in 5-10 minutes
SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

  • Documents of any type (*.docx)
  • Advanced & Premium editing
  • Ready in as little as 4 hours
UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

  • Personalized answers to your language questions
  • Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
  • Ready in 24 hours
ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Powered By Humans

TextRanch Editors

AI is a great tool, but when it comes to perfecting your writing, we rely on real human editors.

  • All our editors are native English speakers.
  • Each editor has passed a rigorous admission test to ensure quality.
  • Our global team is ready to correct any text, anytime.

MEET OUR EDITORS

TextRanch Editors

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

People Feedback 4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Profile picture of Zubair from Bangladesh

Zubair
from Bangladesh From

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Profile picture of Arturo from Mexico

Arturo
from Mexico From

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Profile picture of Selena from USA

Selena
from USA From

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Profile picture of Ifiok from Nigeria

Ifiok
from Nigeria From

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Profile picture of Wilson from France

Wilson
from France From

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Profile picture of Susan from Germany

Susan
from Germany From

Trusted by Hundreds Teams

Facebook logo
Accenture logo
Air Asia logo
AirBus logo
Amazon logo
Bayer logo
Decathlon logo
Docusign logo
Ebay logo
Fiverr logo
Fossil logo
Keller Williams logo
LinkedIn logo
Loreal logo
Motorola logo
Orange logo
Roche logo
Salesforce logo
Stellantis logo