"Brought" Vs "Bought" - What's the Difference

Some English words look so similar that even native speakers type the wrong one by accident. Two of the most common mix-ups are “brought” and “bought.”

At first glance, they seem like a tiny spelling change, but the meanings are very different. Today, Midoo AI will walk you through the difference, show you plenty of examples, and give you memory tricks so you never confuse them again.

What Does “Brought” Mean?

Brought is the past tense and past participle of bring. It means to carry something to a place or person.

Examples of “Brought”:

• She brought her dog to the park.
• I brought a gift for your birthday.
• He brought his laptop to work.
• The waiter brought us the menu.
• They brought new ideas to the meeting.

👉 Key idea: Brought = past tense of bring (to carry/bring something along).

What Does “Bought” Mean?

Bought is the past tense and past participle of buy. It means to purchase something with money.

Examples of “Bought”:

• I bought a new phone yesterday.
• She bought tickets for the concert.
• They bought a house last year.
• He bought lunch for everyone.
• We bought souvenirs on our trip.

👉 Key idea: Bought = past tense of buy (to purchase).

Quick Comparison

• Brought → related to bring (movement, carrying, giving).
• Bought → related to buy (spending money, purchasing).

Comparison Table

Everyday Example

Imagine going to a party:

• If you brought cookies → it means you carried them to the party.
• If you bought cookies → it means you purchased them from a store.

You can do both: I bought cookies and brought them to the party.

Memory Tips

• Brought = bring. Both words have “br.”
• Bought = buy. Both words start with “bu.”
• Think: You buy it → you bought it. You bring it → you brought it.

Common Mistakes

❌ I bought my homework to class. ✔️ I brought my homework to class.

❌ She brought a new dress yesterday. ✔️ She bought a new dress yesterday.

❌ He bought his friend to the meeting. ✔️ He brought his friend to the meeting.

FAQs

Can “brought” and “bought” ever mean the same thing?

No. They are from completely different verbs: bring and buy.

Which one is more common?

Both are common, but in different contexts. Brought is about carrying something; bought is about purchasing.

How do I avoid confusing them?

Link them to their base verbs: bring → brought, buy → bought.

Are they pronounced differently?

Yes, but slightly. Brought has an “r” sound, while bought does not.

Can I use them together in one sentence?

Yes! Example: I bought snacks and brought them to the party.

Final Thoughts

The difference is clear once you connect them to their base verbs:

• Brought = past tense of bring (carrying something).
• Bought = past tense of buy (purchasing something).

Next time you write, just ask: Am I talking about buying something or bringing something? That quick check will save you from mixing them up.