buy groceries

Meaning

This phrase means to purchase food and other household supplies, typically at a supermarket or grocery store. It is a very common daily chore. The expression is neutral and used by native speakers of all ages when talking about shopping for food.

Examples

• I need to stop by the supermarket to buy groceries for dinner.

  I need to stop by the supermarket to buy groceries for dinner.

• We usually buy groceries once a week on Saturday mornings.

  We usually buy groceries once a week on Saturday mornings.

• How much money do you spend when you buy groceries?

  How much money do you spend when you buy groceries?

• She decided to buy groceries online because she was too busy to visit the store.

  She decided to buy groceries online because she was too busy to visit the store.

• Can you buy groceries on your way home from work?

  Can you buy groceries on your way home from work?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to buy foods at the supermarket.

  ✓ I need to buy groceries.

  While 'food' is grammatically fine, native speakers almost always use the term 'groceries' to refer to the food and household supplies they buy during a regular shopping trip.

• ✗ I bought some groceries items.

  ✓ I bought some groceries.

  'Groceries' is already a plural noun that means the items themselves. You do not need to add the word 'items' after it.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Our fridge is completely empty; we really need to ___.

  💡 Purchase food and household items at the supermarket.

  Show answer

  buy groceries

• I always make a list before I ___ so I don't forget anything.

  💡 Shop for food.

  Show answer

  buy groceries