bought: to have purchased something. It is the past tense of the word buy.
They bought their car from a registered dealer
brought: to have carried or taken something/someone with you. It is the past tense of the word bring.
She brought a friend with her to the conference.
‘After you bring something you’ve brought it’ is a handy reminder of which is which as many people get confused over these two words.
[...] P.S. I explained the past tense of buy (bought) as a Monday Meaning last year. [...]
People who use “brought” when the correct term would be “bought” are [very annoying and I don't like this error.]
Obviously everyone has different skills and making spelling mistakes doesn’t necessarily reflect on people’s value or intelligence. However, it is very annoying at times to see such mistakes and I understand your frustration, Martin!
Hopefully, this post has helped at least a few people learn the difference between brought and bought.
don’t forget ‘brung’. It is commonly used in place of brought.
I try very hard to forget ‘brung’! It sounds horrible and is just wrong…
I will bring it tomorrow. I brought it yesterday.
This common error is my pet hate and drives me mad. I’ve heard TV newsreaders, politicians and many, many more mispronounce it. So annoying.
‘brung’ makes me cringe but not as much as ‘driv’ as a past tense of drive. ‘Squoze’ as opposed to squeezed also kills me.
Alex, I’m pleased to say that I haven’t come acorss ‘squoze’ as that would kill me, too!