Bought Vs. Brought - What's the Difference?

Question

Which of these sentences are correct? (Hint: Ask- Can I bring it? Can I buy it?)

I bought a cup of coffee from Starbucks.

We bought our homework to class.

She brought a present to the party.

They bought gifts at the store.

Answer 1

Brought means “to take or go with something or someone to a place“.

1. Examples: I brought him a glass of water.
2. Alex brought a cup of coffee to his mother.
3. He brought her breakfast in bed on a tray.
4. The artist brought his paints with him.
5. We brought home two bags of rice.
6. The waiter brought the menu and the wine list.
7. The sun brought her out in an itchy rash.
8. The photos brought back some wonderful memories.

Bought means “to get something in exchange for money“.

Examples:

1. I bought a new car last week.
2. Have you bought a new TV yet?
3. He bought the book from a second-hand store.
4. I bought a brick of ice cream for Jimmy.
5. We bought our house several years ago.
6. Mary bought a bar of soap in the supermarket.
7. My mother bought me a waterproof watch.
8. His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.

Answer 2

Bought means- Something you buy when you pay its price in the form of money.

For example: I bought a new pair of shoes to attend my school graduation party at school.

Brought means- Something you bring with you or someone else brings not necessarily paying its price in the form of money.

For example: She brought home made donuts for her lunch yesterday.

Answer 3

"Brought" is the past tense of 'bring'.

'Bought' is the past tense of 'buy'

I bought a cup of coffee from Starbucks. CORRECT because you BUY a coffee

We bought our homework to class. INCORRECT because you CANNOT buy your homework, you BRING them to class (in this case)

She brought a present to the party. CORRECT because it means TO BRING something (in this case a present)

They bought gifts at the store. CORRECT because you can BUY gifts

Answer 4

Bought Vs. Brought - What's the Difference?

Which of these sentences are correct? (Hint: Ask- Can I bring it? Can I buy it?)

I bought a cup of coffee from Starbucks............bring it? Y......buy it? Y......C

We bought our homework to class.....................bring it? Y......buy it? N......NC

She brought a present to the party.....................bring it? Y......buy it? N.....C

They bought gifts at the store............................bring it? N.....buy it? Y.......C............CC? Y

Another way to think about this is CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS. Would you need a Credit Card to do the activity??? When you buy or purchase something requires a CC. Bought is the past tense of buy.