Difference Between Purchasing & Buying

Purchase vs Buy

The difference between purchase and buy is an intriguing subject to explore, as many people believe they have the same meaning. For example, do you buy a mobile phone from the store, or do you purchase it? Generally, both words represent the same action of obtaining something through payment. However, some individuals feel that purchase is a more formal term, while buy is a casual term that applies to anything you acquire, either from a physical store or online. The question remains, can you buy something without purchasing it or purchase something without buying it? This dilemma is challenging to answer. However, it is certain that there must be a distinction between purchase and buy, or else we wouldn’t have two separate terms for the same action.

Key Takeaways

• Purchase is considered more formal than buy and is often used in contractual agreements.
• Buy is a casual term that applies to obtaining something through payment, either from a physical store or online.
• While both words represent the same action, their usage varies depending on the context and level of formality.

What does Purchase mean?

Purchase is typically used to refer to a contractual agreement, such as the purchase of property or a purchase order from a company to a supplier. You do not buy land; you purchase it, along with an agreement. This indicates that you purchase everything, but you do not necessarily buy everything. There are also differences in how the two words are used. For example, governments always place purchase orders and never buy. The government’s decision to purchase anti-missile tanks from the US is an example. In this case, the word purchase is used instead of buy due to the formality required when referring to the government. Furthermore, the use of the word purchase in letters of complaint, as when a product is not working properly or has developed a snag, suggests that there is a sense of formality in the term purchase that is absent in the term buy.

What does Buy mean?

The word buy is also used to mean obtaining something in exchange for payment. For instance, “I bought some saris from the sale” or “I should buy some meat for dinner.” In both examples, the word buy is used to describe everyday, informal situations. There are other amusing uses of these two words as well. For example, you do not “buy into an argument” rather than “purchase into an argument.” You congratulate your son on his smart buy, not purchase. In legal contexts, the term purchase is used instead of buy.

What is the difference between Purchase and Buy?

Although buy and purchase share the same meanings, they are used in different contexts, and their usage varies.

• Purchase is considered more formal than buy and is more commonly used in contractual agreements.
• Buy is a casual term that applies to obtaining something through payment, either from a physical store or online.
• You purchase everything, but you do not necessarily buy everything.