I acquired it previously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I acquired it previously" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that you obtained or received at an earlier time. Example: "I acquired it previously during my travels in Europe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can be acquired by at most one thread, after which no other thread may acquire it until it is released by the thread that previously acquired it.

University of California, Berkeley

ContentNext is the company's largest acquisition to date, it previously acquired two small technology news sites in 2008.

The New York Times

It previously acquired U.S.-based map startup DeCarta in March.

TechCrunch

This news comes months after HPE announced a different plan in which the company was moving to Santa Clara, where Aruba Networks, a company it previously acquired, is headquartered.

TechCrunch

It previously acquired Chicago deals site DealADayOnline, San Francisco deals site Swoop, loyalty company Edhance, and deals site LocalTwist.

TechCrunch

A follow-up inquiry suggesting his players had acquired a previously elusive "maturity" seemed to please Wenger.

The Guardian - Sport

The fetal calf serum (FCS) was replaced with 10% human platelet lysate (hPL) which was acquired as previously described [48].

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

CLONal selection ALGorithm is inspired by the clonal selection theory of acquired immunity, previously known as CSA.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Images were acquired as previously described [8].

Plosone

MRS was acquired as previously described.

Cell Death and Disease

Secondary data Data which has been acquired from previously published sources.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I acquired it previously", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to in order to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "I acquired it previously" if the object of acquisition ("it") is not explicitly defined or easily understood from the immediate context. Always ensure clarity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I acquired it previously" functions as a statement indicating that the speaker obtained something at an earlier time. The word "acquired" denotes the act of gaining possession, and "previously" reinforces that this action occurred before the current context. Ludwig AI states the phrase is fine to use.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I acquired it previously" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that you obtained something at an earlier time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a usable phrase. While perfectly acceptable, it's not particularly common; therefore, related phrases like "I obtained it earlier" or "I got it before" might be more suitable depending on the context and desired level of formality. Always ensure the object of acquisition is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had obtained it earlier

Replaces "acquired" with "obtained" and "previously" with "earlier", simplifying the language.

I secured it beforehand

Uses "secured" instead of "acquired", implying a more proactive effort in obtaining it; "beforehand" replaces "previously".

I got it before

Simplifies the wording using "got" instead of "acquired" and "before" instead of "previously", making it more informal.

I had it in my possession already

Emphasizes current possession as a result of a past acquisition, rather than the act of acquiring itself.

It was previously in my possession

Focuses on the past state of possession rather than the act of acquiring.

I came into possession of it earlier

A more formal way of saying "I got it before,", replacing "acquired" with "came into possession of".

I obtained it at an earlier date

More formal, using "obtained" instead of "acquired" and specifying "date" for precision.

I had acquired it some time ago

Replaces "previously" with "some time ago", indicating a less specific time frame.

It was something I had acquired earlier

Adds a general reference ("something") to soften the statement and shift the emphasis.

I laid claim to it before

Implies asserting ownership or rights, making it a specific kind of acquisition.

FAQs

What does "I acquired it previously" mean?

The phrase "I acquired it previously" means that you obtained or came to possess something at an earlier point in time. It emphasizes that the acquisition happened before the current moment.

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

You can use "I acquired it previously" to explain how you came to possess an item. For example: "I have extensive knowledge of this topic because "I acquired it previously" through years of research."

What are some alternatives to "I acquired it previously"?

Some alternatives include "I obtained it earlier", "I got it before", or "I had acquired it earlier". The best choice depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "I acquired it previously"?

While "previously" emphasizes that the acquisition happened in the past, its use is often implicit in the word "acquired." Using "previously" simply reinforces the temporal aspect. In some contexts, it may be more concise to say "I acquired it" or "I already had it".