Brought or Bought: The Difference

These two words are constantly being mistaken for one another, especially since us humans are becoming a lot lazier when we speak, so it is harder to tell the two apart. However, in writing, the error is much clearer. If the picture doesn’t help you enough, here is a quick explanation on how to tell the two apart!

Brought

This is a form of the verb “to bring”. If you are writing about someone who was bringing something, and then write it in the past, then they brought it.

I brought my dog to the park.

The dog brought back the stick when playing fetch.

We brought our dog with us on holiday.

Bought

This word is a form of the verb “to buy”, which is obviously different than “bring”. Therefore, if you buy something, and now you are talking about it in the past, then you have bought it.

I bought my dog three years ago.

We bought some food for the dog.

My sister bought a new dog collar.

If that doesn’t clear things up enough for you, then just remember this simple tip: once you bring something, you’ve brought it. The two “br” words belong together. If there is anything else you’d like cleared up, leave a comment!