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Prepositions with purchase

For purchase or of purchase?

For purchase is the normal expression for something available to buy. Of purchase is not a standard combination in modern English.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use for purchase to mean available to buy or intended to be bought. Of purchase is generally nonstandard unless of introduces a separate noun phrase such as proof of purchase.

Tickets are available for purchase online.
The software is for purchase through the company website.
Keep your receipt as proof of purchase.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
for purchase

Showing that something can be bought

For purchase means available to buy.

The property is now for purchase.
Gift cards are for purchase at the counter.
2
purchase of + item

Naming the thing bought

Purchase can take of when purchase is the main noun in a larger structure.

The purchase of the building was completed in May.
We discussed the purchase of new equipment yesterday.
3
proof of purchase

Using of in fixed noun phrases

Some established expressions use of with purchase.

Customers must provide proof of purchase for a refund.
Please attach evidence of purchase to the form.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
for purchase
The car is available for purchase.
Standard expression meaning available to buy.
of purchase
This product is of purchase.
Not idiomatic in modern English.
purchase of
The purchase of land took several months.
Refers to the act of buying something.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of purchase as a complete expression

Of purchase does not normally mean available to buy.

✕ The tickets are of purchase online. ✓ The tickets are for purchase online.

Confusing purchase of with for purchase

Purchase of names the thing bought, while for purchase means available to buy.

✕ The purchase for a new car was expensive. ✓ The purchase of a new car was expensive.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The artwork is available ___ purchase.
2. We approved the purchase ___ new computers.
3. Please keep your receipt as proof ___ purchase.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for purchase formal?

It is common in formal and commercial English, especially in advertisements and notices.

Can I say available for purchase?

Yes. Available for purchase is a very common expression.

When does purchase use of?

Use of when purchase is followed by the item bought, as in purchase of equipment.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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