"purchase of" vs "purchase for"

Question

"purchase of" vs "purchase for"

Both "purchase for" and "purchase of" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Purchase for" is used when referring to buying something on behalf of someone else, while "purchase of" is used when talking about the act of buying something for oneself.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

Use "purchase of" when you are referring to the act of buying something for yourself. For example, "The purchase of the new house was a big milestone for them."

Examples:

The purchase of the new house was a big milestone for them.
She was happy with the purchase of her new car.
The purchase of the painting was a good investment.
He regretted the purchase of that expensive watch.
They celebrated the purchase of their dream vacation.

Alternatives:

buying of
acquisition of
procurement of
obtaining of
getting of

Use "purchase for" when you are buying something on behalf of someone else. For example, "I will purchase this gift for my friend's birthday."

Examples:

I will purchase this gift for my friend's birthday.
She purchased the tickets for the whole group.
He purchased a new laptop for his sister.
They purchased a cake for the party.
We purchased a new car for our parents.

Alternatives:

buy for
acquire for
procure for
obtain for
get for

Answer 1

purchase of

This phrase is correct and commonly used when talking about buying something for oneself.

Answer 2

purchase for

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to buying something on behalf of someone else.

"purchase of" vs "purchase for"

purchase of

purchase for

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