brought
The past tense and past participle form of 'bring', referring to the action of carrying, conveying, or causing something or someone to come to a specific place or state. It is primarily used to indicate movement toward the speaker or the center of attention in a past context.
Examples
3 of 5I brought some extra blankets because I thought it might get cold tonight.
I carried additional blankets to this location anticipating the cold weather.
The witness brought crucial evidence to the stand that changed the direction of the trial.
The witness presented significant physical proof to the court which altered the legal proceedings.
Look at the cool souvenirs I brought back from my trip!
Check out the interesting items I carried home from my vacation.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember: BRing results in BRought. Buy results in Bought. If there is an 'R' in the start, there is an 'R' in the past.
Quick Quiz
The sudden change in management ___ many unexpected improvements to the office environment.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brought
Examples
I brought some extra blankets because I thought it might get cold tonight.
everydayI carried additional blankets to this location anticipating the cold weather.
The witness brought crucial evidence to the stand that changed the direction of the trial.
formalThe witness presented significant physical proof to the court which altered the legal proceedings.
Look at the cool souvenirs I brought back from my trip!
informalCheck out the interesting items I carried home from my vacation.
The industrial revolution brought significant changes to the socio-economic structure of the 19th century.
academicThe shift in manufacturing processes caused major transformations in society and the economy during that era.
The merger brought several new challenges regarding corporate culture integration.
businessThe joining of the two companies resulted in various difficulties concerning how the employees work together.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
brought to tears
made someone cry
brought the house down
performed so well that the audience cheered loudly
brought to a halt
caused something to stop moving or progressing
Often Confused With
'Bought' is the past tense of 'buy' (to purchase), while 'brought' is the past tense of 'bring' (to carry).
Usage Notes
Use 'brought' when the action involves movement toward the speaker's current location or the location being discussed. It is the irregular past form of 'bring' and should not be replaced with 'brung' in standard English.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is spelling or pronouncing it as 'bought' (purchased). Remember that 'brought' has an 'r' like its root word 'bring'.
Memory Tip
Remember: BRing results in BRought. Buy results in Bought. If there is an 'R' in the start, there is an 'R' in the past.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'brōhte', which is the past tense of 'bringan' (to bring).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, it is common etiquette to say 'I brought a gift' or 'I brought some food' when attending a social gathering at someone's home.
Quick Quiz
The sudden change in management ___ many unexpected improvements to the office environment.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brought
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
ozone
B2Ozone is a colorless gas found in the upper atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is also produced at ground level as a pollutant when sunlight reacts with industrial emissions.
layer
B2A layer is a single thickness, sheet, or level of a material that covers a surface or is placed between other things. It can refer to physical substances like paint and geological strata, or abstract levels of complexity and meaning.
around
C2As an adverb at a C2 level, it denotes presence, availability, or existence within a specific vicinity or context. It is also used to indicate approximate values or to describe movement or positioning that encircles a point or lacks a specific direction.
climate
B2Climate refers to the long-term patterns of weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, in a particular region over many years. It can also describe the prevailing mood, conditions, or social atmosphere of a specific time or place.
immune
B2Immune describes the state of being protected from a specific disease, typically through vaccination or prior exposure. It can also figuratively refer to being unaffected by something negative, such as criticism, or being exempt from certain duties or legal consequences.
virus
B2A submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism, often causing disease. In technology, it refers to a piece of malicious code that replicates itself to damage or disrupt a computer system.
species
B2A species is a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. It is the basic unit of biological classification and taxonomic rank in the hierarchy of living things.
business
B2Used as an attributive adjective to describe things related to professional commerce, trade, or work activities. It distinguishes professional matters from personal, social, or recreational ones.
contract
C1A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes mutual obligations. In academic and legal contexts, it refers to the specific terms, conditions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern a transaction or relationship.
bonus
B2A bonus is an extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required. It is typically given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive to encourage future effort.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free