Meaning & use
buying on credit
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The practice of getting goods or services now and paying for them later, usually with interest.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; it names the activity, not a single action, so it takes a singular verb: Buying on credit is risky.
Patterns
- buy something on credit
- buying on credit is …
- pay for something by buying on credit
Buying on credit lets you take the sofa home today and pay over twelve months.
Many families got into debt through buying on credit.
The store encourages buying on credit by offering low monthly payments.
phrasefixed phrasebusinessfinance
A way of purchasing where the seller trusts the buyer to pay the full amount at a later date.
Grammar: Often follows verbs like buy, purchase, or get: They bought the car on credit.
Patterns
- buy something on credit
- purchase something on credit
- get something on credit
Small businesses often buy equipment on credit to spread the cost.
He purchased the machine on credit and repaid it within a year.
You can get the textbooks on credit from the campus bookshop.
Common combinations
- buy on credit
- They decided to buy the fridge on credit rather than wait.
- buying on credit
- Buying on credit can be convenient if you pay the balance quickly.
- purchase on credit
- The company purchased new computers on credit.
- on credit terms
- The supplier offered us thirty days on credit terms.
- interest-free credit
- The shop advertises interest-free credit for six months.
Synonyms and how they differ
- on account
- Similar meaning but more formal and common in business contexts; it often implies a running account with a supplier.
- on hire purchase
- A British term for a specific installment plan where you own the goods only after the final payment.
- on tick
- Informal British slang for buying on credit; it sounds casual and slightly old-fashioned.
Opposites
Word family
- credit noun
- The arrangement or trust that allows someone to buy now and pay later.
- creditor noun
- A person or company that is owed money.
- creditworthy adjective
- Describing someone who is considered safe to lend money to.
- credit card noun
- A plastic card used to buy things on credit.
Commonly confused: buying on credit or on credit? buying on credit or loan?
buying on credit vs on credit
This is the shorter prepositional phrase; 'buying on credit' adds the activity noun 'buying'. They mean almost the same, but 'on credit' can also describe a single purchase.
buying on credit vs loan
A loan is money borrowed directly, often as cash; buying on credit means the seller lets you take the goods first and pay later.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'buying on credit' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'He buys on credit' shows the natural verb + preposition pattern for this phrase. Option 0 places the phrase awkwardly before the object; option 1 uses 'are' with a singular activity; option 2 is redundant because 'bought' already carries the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “buying on credit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.