acquaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "acquaint" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "to become or make familiar with someone or something." For example: "I had the opportunity to acquaint myself with the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Aspiring librettists should acquaint themselves with Britten's work if they want to understand modern operatic storytelling.

The Guardian

And although CPA officials say that they intend it to reflect the country's sectarian balance which means that a majority of the members will be Shia there will be strong complaints if it excludes popular but radical groups, such as the Sadr movement.The CPA claims that this transitional process will help to acquaint Iraqis with the democratic process.

The Economist

His or her lawyers might then demand to inspect your hard drive so that they can, for example, acquaint the court with your love of porn before it decides who keeps the children.As technology changes the way people communicate, the legal system is stumbling to keep up.

The Economist

Initially, it remained the endeavour of the government to deal with the emerging flood problem through its own measures and machinery.However, as the waters rose and the intensity of the disaster became all too obvious, the government lost hardly a moment to acquaint the outside world with the news of the crisis.

The Economist

Mr Alderman Harris writes in 1752 from Gloucester:—"Sir, At the request of Mr Mayor, whose extraordinary hurry of business will not afford him leisure to write himself, I am desired to acquaint you, that by the Gloucester waggon this week is sent the usual present of a lamprey pie from this corporation to H. R. H. the Prince of Wales.

The Economist

They are shocked to hear that dozens of the president's friends and acquaint ances have been allowed to sleep there, in exchange for hefty donations to the president's re-election campaign.

The Economist

Mr Gusmao worked at the information department, which may at least have been training for his years of media campaigning to acquaint the world about what was happening in his occupied homeland.

The Economist

Is his enthusiasm so great that he feels an irrepressible impulse to acquaint the public with his ideals?

The Economist

Many of those who opposed the war never bothered to acquaint themselves with it; many who now allege that the proof was cooked up in London and Washington have forgotten it.

The Economist

During her tenure the many Theosophical lodges founded in Europe and the United States helped to acquaint the West with the principles of Hinduism, if in a rather idiosyncratic form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Božena Němcová's novel Babička (1855; The Grandmother, also translated as Granny) became a lasting favourite with Czech readers, while the journalist and poet Karel Havlíček Borovský tried to acquaint the Czechs with some of the stark facts of political life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquaint" when you want to emphasize the act of making someone knowledgeable about something, especially when it involves gaining firsthand experience or understanding.

Common error

Avoid incorrect preposition pairings. "Acquaint" is typically followed by "with". Saying "acquaint to" or "acquaint about" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acquaint" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of making someone aware or familiar with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as a verb indicating the act of making someone know or familiar with something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

31%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquaint" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the act of making someone familiar with something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "familiarize" or "inform" exist, "acquaint" carries a nuance of introducing firsthand knowledge or experience. To ensure proper usage, remember that "acquaint" is typically followed by the preposition "with". Mastering these aspects will enhance your ability to effectively use "acquaint" in both written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

familiarize

Focuses more on the process of becoming familiar, whereas "acquaint" can also mean to inform.

get acquainted

Emphasizes the reciprocal process of becoming familiar with each other.

make aware

Highlights the act of bringing something to someone's consciousness.

introduce

Implies a formal presentation or bringing something new to someone's attention.

get to know

Focuses on building a relationship or understanding over time.

inform

Emphasizes conveying information or knowledge.

notify

Suggests a more formal or official way of conveying information.

make conversant

Suggests bringing someone to a level of expertise or understanding.

apprise

A more formal and less common synonym for informing.

enlighten

Implies revealing knowledge or understanding, often to dispel ignorance.

FAQs

How can I use "acquaint" in a sentence?

You can use "acquaint" to mean to make someone aware of something or to familiarize oneself with something. For example, "I need to "acquaint myself" with the new software before using it" or "The manager wanted to "acquaint the team" with the project goals".

What are some alternatives to "acquaint"?

Alternatives to "acquaint" include "familiarize", "inform", "introduce", "notify" and "apprise". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "acquaint with" or "acquaint to"?

The correct phrasing is "acquaint with". "Acquaint to" is grammatically incorrect. For example, "Please "acquaint yourself with" the guidelines" is correct.

What's the difference between "acquaint" and "introduce"?

"Acquaint" implies making someone familiar with something already existing, while "introduce" means presenting something new for the first time. You might "introduce a new team member", and then "acquaint them with the project".