Guide 28 / 200 5 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “buy”
Five verbs that match a purchase to its setting.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Buy" is consumer-grade. Business writing prefers "procure," "acquire," or "purchase"; contracts prefer the last. Match the formality.
ii · The swaps5 ways
- 01Purchase neutral
formal version of "buy"
Purchased the office furniture on Friday.
- 02Procure formal
supply-chain language
Procured the sensors through the usual vendor.
- 03Acquire formal
come into possession of — IP, assets
Acquired the patent portfolio for $4M.
- 04Source neutral
find and obtain a supplier
Sourced the components from two factories.
- 05Invest in formal
buy as an investment or commitment
Invested in a new testing framework.