Quick answer: Bought is the past tense of "buy" (to purchase): I bought a new phone yesterday. Brought is the past tense of "bring" (to carry something to a place): I brought my phone to show you. If money changed hands, use bought; if something was carried somewhere, use brought. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘bring’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| bought | verb (past tense/participle of "buy") | purchased something in exchange for money | She bought a dress for the party. |
| brought | verb (past tense/participle of "bring") | carried or took something to a place | He brought snacks to the office. |
Using Bought
Bought describes purchasing something — paying money to obtain it.
We bought tickets for the concert online.
He bought a second-hand car last month.
I've bought too many books this year.
They bought their house five years ago.
Using Brought
Brought describes carrying or bringing something (or someone) to a particular place.
She brought her laptop to the coffee shop.
He brought his sister to the party.
They brought flowers to the hospital.
Please make sure you've brought your passport.
Memory Trick
Brought has an "r" — think of the "r" as an arrow, showing something being carried from one place to another. Bought has no "r" and relates to a purchase — think of the "o-u-g-h-t" as what you "ought" to pay for something you buy.
Common Mistakes
✗ Did you bought your umbrella today?
✓ Did you bring your umbrella today? (or, in the past) Did you bring/did you have your umbrella?
Note: correct past-simple question form is "Did you bring...?" — after "did", verbs return to base form.
✗ I brought a new laptop from the shop yesterday.
✓ I bought a new laptop from the shop yesterday.
Tips to Avoid Confusion
- If the sentence is about paying money for something, use bought.
- If the sentence is about carrying or transporting something to a place, use brought.
- Remember: brought has an "r" for "carry"; bought does not.
- Both are irregular past forms — neither takes "-ed": not "buyed" or "bringed".
For more on related grammar, see past simple. Also confusing: Afraid vs Frightened, Alone vs Lonely, Angry vs Furious. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Bought or Brought?
4 fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “I ___ a new pair of shoes at the mall.”
2. “She ___ her guitar to the campfire.”
3. “We ___ groceries for the whole week.”
4. “He ___ his little brother to school this morning.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between bought and brought?
Bought is the past tense and past participle of "buy" (to purchase): "I bought a new laptop." Brought is the past tense and past participle of "bring" (to carry something to a place): "I brought my laptop to the meeting."
Why are bought and brought so often confused?
They look and sound almost identical, differing only by the letter "r", and both are irregular past-tense forms, making them easy to mix up in fast writing or speech.
What is the base form of bought?
The base form is "buy": buy, bought, bought. "I buy groceries every Friday" becomes "I bought groceries last Friday" in the past.
What is the base form of brought?
The base form is "bring": bring, brought, brought. "Please bring your ID" becomes "She brought her ID to the exam" in the past.
How can I tell which verb a sentence needs?
Ask whether the action is about purchasing (use bought) or carrying/transporting something to a place (use brought). "I bought a cake" (I purchased it) versus "I brought a cake" (I carried it somewhere, e.g. to a party).
Can something be both bought and brought?
Yes — the same item can go through both actions: "I bought a gift and brought it to the party." First you purchase it (bought), then you carry it somewhere (brought).
Is there a word 'brung'?
No — "brung" is a nonstandard, dialectal form sometimes heard in casual speech, but it is not correct in standard English. The correct past tense of bring is always "brought".
What is the present tense of bought?
The present tense is "buy": "I buy my coffee here every day." Bought only appears in the past tense and past participle forms.
What is the present tense of brought?
The present tense is "bring": "Please bring an umbrella, it might rain." Brought only appears in the past tense and past participle forms.
How can I remember bought vs brought?
Brought has an "r" for "carry" — think of the "r" as a little arrow showing something being carried from one place to another. Bought has no "r" and relates to a purchase, like the price you paid. If money changed hands, it's bought; if something was carried somewhere, it's brought.