I acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something, whether it be knowledge, skills, or physical items. Example: "I acquired a new skill in coding after completing the online course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Victorians called reading "an acquired taste for literature" and I acquired it very early.

Huffington Post

"I acquired it.

The New Yorker

I acquired a pricey yacht.

The Guardian - Books

RECENTLY, I acquired an electric deep fryer.

The New York Times - Food

Last week I acquired two new heroes.

The Guardian - Sport

"I acquired that monkey legally," he said.

The New York Times

"I think it's something I acquired with experience.

The New York Times

Slowly and clumsily, I acquired the vocabulary of my sickness.

The New York Times - Magazine

I acquired some of this knowledge at an early age, by osmosis.

The New Yorker

After I acquired the slides, I contacted Nat's widow, Esther Singerman.

The New York Times

Two days before I acquired the Crouch book, I was visiting my sister in Boston.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I acquired" when you want to emphasize the action of getting or obtaining something, whether it is a physical object, a skill, or knowledge. For instance, you might say, "I acquired a taste for jazz" or "I acquired new skills in data analysis."

Common error

Be careful not to overuse the passive voice when using "I acquired". While it's grammatically correct to say, "The skill was acquired by me," it's usually clearer and more direct to use the active voice: "I acquired the skill."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I acquired" functions as a declarative statement indicating the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct construction used to express the subject's action of acquiring. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from physical objects to skills and knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I acquired" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is primarily declarative, serving to inform about a change in status or capability. While applicable across various registers, it's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of choosing it to denote the action of specifically obtaining something or learning something, it's perfect if you want to communicate a change in your status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I obtained

Focuses on the act of formally or officially getting something.

I gained

Emphasizes the process of gradually increasing or accumulating something, often intangible.

I came into possession of

Highlights the transfer of ownership or control.

I secured

Implies effort or competition in getting something.

I picked up

Suggests learning or adopting something, often casually.

I procured

Indicates obtaining something, often through careful effort or special means.

I collected

Implies gathering multiple items or pieces over time.

I assumed

Implies that you accept that something is true, often without concrete evidence.

I've gotten hold of

Informal way to say that you obtained something, implies some effort.

I built up

Implies a slow accumulation over time of something.

FAQs

How can I use "I acquired" in a sentence?

Use "I acquired" to describe gaining possession of something tangible or intangible. For example, "I acquired a new car" or "I acquired a better understanding of the topic".

What are some alternatives to "I acquired"?

You can use alternatives like "I obtained", "I gained", or "I came into possession of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I acquired knowledge" or "I gained knowledge"?

Both "I acquired knowledge" and "I gained knowledge" are correct, but "I gained knowledge" often suggests a gradual accumulation, while "I acquired knowledge" implies a more specific instance of obtaining it.

What's the difference between "I acquired" and "I inherited"?

"I acquired" means to come into possession of something, usually through your own effort or through a transaction. "I inherited" means to receive something as an heir, often after someone's death.