What is purchase? Pronunciation and usage in English

purchase means . Learn how to pronounce and use purchase through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of purchase

purchaseverb

/ˈpəːtʃɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of purchase

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "purchase" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈpɜːrtʃ/ (British English) - This is how it sounds in the UK.

    • ˈpɜːrtʃ: This is broken down like this:
      • ˈpɜːrt: The first syllable is stressed. "p" as in "pen," "ɜː" (like the "er" in "bird") as in a short, open “uh” sound, and “rt” as in “art”.
      • ch: This is a "ch" sound like in the word "chair".

  • /ˈpɔːrtʃ/ (American English) - This is how it sounds in the US.

    • ˈpɔːrtʃ: Similar breakdown to the British version, but with a slightly different vowel sound.
      • ˈpɔːrt: "p" as in "pen", "ɔː" (like the "o" in "caught" or "taught") as in a more open “aw” sound, and “rt” as in “art”.

Here's a phonetic representation (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA) that helps a lot:

  • British: /ˈpɜːrtʃ/
  • American: /ˈpɔːrtʃ/

Tips to help you pronounce it:

  • Stress: The emphasis is always on the first syllable ("pur-").
  • "ch" sound: Make sure you pronounce the "ch" as a distinct sound, like in "chair" or "church." Don’t say “pur-tse.”
  • Vowel sounds: The key difference between British and American pronunciation is the vowel sound in the first syllable. "Pur" vs "Port"

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "purchase" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (This will give you both British and American pronunciations.)
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/purchase/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers of different accents.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Which English accent are you most interested in learning (British, American, Australian, etc.)?

Usage and examples with the word purchase in English

Let's break down how to use the word "purchase" in English. It's often confused with "buy," but "purchase" has a slightly more formal and deliberate feel. Here's a breakdown of its usage:

1. Meaning:

  • Core Meaning: “Purchase” means to formally and usually deliberately acquire something, often a valuable or significant item. It implies a more considered process than simply "buying."

2. Usage – When to Use "Purchase":

  • Formal Writing: “Purchase” is most commonly used in formal contexts like:
    • Business reports: "The company made a large purchase of new equipment."
    • Contracts: "The contract outlines the terms of the purchase."
    • Official documents: "This purchase was authorized by the board of directors."
    • Legal documents: “The purchase agreement clearly states…”
  • Emphasis on the Process: It highlights the act of obtaining something, often after a process of evaluation or negotiation.
  • Higher Value Items: It's frequently used for larger, more expensive items.

3. How it Differs from “Buy”:

Feature Buy Purchase
Formality Informal/Casual Formal/Official
Emphasis The act of acquiring The deliberate act of acquiring
Typical Use Everyday purchases Larger items, business transactions

Example:

  • Buy: "I need to buy some milk." (Casual, everyday)
  • Purchase: "The department decided to purchase a new fleet of vehicles." (Formal, business decision)

4. Common Phrases Using "Purchase":

  • Make a purchase: "I made a purchase online."
  • Purchase order: A formal document issued by a buyer requesting a seller to supply goods or services.
  • Purchase price: The amount paid for something.
  • Purchase agreement: A contract outlining the terms of a purchase.
  • Purchase options: Referring to choices available when making a purchase.

5. Tips for Using “Purchase” Correctly:

  • Consider your audience: If you're writing for a casual audience, “buy” is usually perfectly fine.
  • Think about the context: If you're discussing a significant transaction or a formal agreement, “purchase” is a better choice.
  • Don't overuse it: While it's a useful word, relying on it too often can make your writing sound stilted.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use “purchase”?
  • Compare it to other similar words (like “acquire” or “obtain”)?
  • Help you craft a sentence using “purchase” in a specific context?

Synonyms for the word purchase

Practice with vocabulary purchase

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Before the end of the fiscal year, the department must ______ all necessary office supplies to avoid budget surpluses.
  2. The company intends to ______ several key assets from its struggling competitor to expand market share.
  3. Our quality assurance team will ______ the latest product prototypes for potential design flaws.
  4. To streamline operations, the management decided to ______ a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following terms refers to the act of acquiring goods, services, or property in exchange for money? A) Sell B) Barter C) Purchase D) Lease

  2. When a business needs to obtain new equipment for its production line, which actions could be considered? A) Acquire B) Procure C) Purchase D) Dispose

  3. The finance committee needs to carefully ______ the projected costs and benefits of the upcoming project. A) assess B) evaluate C) oversee D) purchase

  4. Which options best describe making a large-scale acquisition, such as buying an entire company or significant property? A) Invest in B) Take over C) Purchase D) Divest from

  5. The HR department plans to ______ a comprehensive training program for new employees starting next quarter. A) implement B) execute C) purchase D) review

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The procurement department decided to buy the raw materials from a new supplier. (Rewrite using a form of "purchase")
  2. Our legal team needs to get authorization before finalizing the agreement. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "get authorization", do not use "purchase")
  3. Many customers acquire products online due to their convenience and competitive prices. (Rewrite using a form of "purchase")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. purchase
  2. purchase
  3. review
  4. implement

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) Purchase
  2. A) Acquire, B) Procure, C) Purchase
  3. A) assess, B) evaluate
  4. B) Take over, C) Purchase
  5. A) implement, B) execute

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The procurement department decided to purchase the raw materials from a new supplier.
  2. Our legal team needs to obtain approval before finalizing the agreement. (Alternative: Our legal team needs to secure authorization before finalizing the agreement.)
  3. Many customers purchase products online due to their convenience and competitive prices.

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