To buy as a gift vs To buy for a gift

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'To buy as a gift' is commonly used when the item being purchased is intended to be given as a gift, emphasizing the purpose of the purchase. On the other hand, 'to buy for a gift' is also correct but less common, and it highlights the recipient of the gift rather than the purpose of the purchase.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 946 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"To buy as a gift"

This phrase is used when the item being purchased is intended to be given as a gift, emphasizing the purpose of the purchase.

Examples:

I'm going to buy this book as a gift for my friend's birthday.
She bought a necklace as a gift for her mother.
He always buys chocolates as gifts for his colleagues.
They bought a painting as a gift for the newlyweds.
We bought a watch as a gift for our boss.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was hoping to buy it as a gift for my husband.
He went to Corso to buy a gift for Adriana.
I need to buy a gift for a child.
Tomorrow wanted to buy a gift Colle
You did not have to buy me a gift.
And a Neiman-Marcus card in case we want to buy a gift for someone.
So, listen, I need to buy a gift for my boss's birthday.
And since you're not having to buy a gift for anybody, maybe you shouldn't talk.
They went to buy gifts for friends in Yokohama.
I want to buy that cutie a gift.
If you found money, you were supposed to buy me a gift.
She came into your store to buy a gift
You are the most impossible person to buy a gift for!
But you? Always to do things for others, to buy gifts.
You use it to buy gifts for your friends and your loved ones.
I don't see a problem with wanting to help your friend or wanting to buy you a gift.
We want to buy you gifts and take pictures and...
I'd like to buy some gifts for my father.
Do you want to buy gift after dinner tomorrow?
But don't ask your ex to buy a gift for your girlfriend.

Alternatives:

to purchase as a gift
to get as a gift
to acquire as a gift
to procure as a gift
to obtain as a gift

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

"To buy for a gift"

This phrase is used when emphasizing the recipient of the gift rather than the purpose of the purchase.

Examples:

I need to buy a book for a gift for my friend's birthday.
She bought a necklace for a gift for her mother.
He always buys chocolates for gifts for his colleagues.
They bought a painting for a gift for the newlyweds.
We bought a watch for a gift for our boss.

Show examples from the web [+]

I need to buy a gift for a child.
He went to Corso to buy a gift for Adriana.
And a Neiman-Marcus card in case we want to buy a gift for someone.
So, listen, I need to buy a gift for my boss's birthday.
And since you're not having to buy a gift for anybody, maybe you shouldn't talk.
You are the most impossible person to buy a gift for!
But don't ask your ex to buy a gift for your girlfriend.
But he did not even have time to buy you a gift for your birthday, remember?
Tomorrow wanted to buy a gift Colle
You did not have to buy me a gift.
They went to buy gifts for friends in Yokohama.
I was hoping to buy it as a gift for my husband.
I want to buy that cutie a gift.
If you found money, you were supposed to buy me a gift.
She came into your store to buy a gift
But you? Always to do things for others, to buy gifts.
You use it to buy gifts for your friends and your loved ones.
I don't see a problem with wanting to help your friend or wanting to buy you a gift.
We want to buy you gifts and take pictures and...
I'd like to buy some gifts for my father.

Alternatives:

to buy as a gift
to purchase for a gift
to get for a gift
to acquire for a gift
to procure for a gift

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To buy as a gift vs To buy for a gift

"To buy as a gift"

"To buy for a gift"

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