acquire

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquire" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use "acquire" when you want to express that someone has obtained or gained something. Example sentence: She acquired a new job in the finance industry.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This tweak to the script, he said, halved the number of don't knows and allowed Labour to acquire an early glimpse of the true grisly picture confronting it.

The Guardian - Opinion

· In the past, you called on your followers to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

The Guardian

They come to see and admire and maybe acquire.

The Guardian - Travel

His parents were teachers, and he seemed born to exert diligence and acquire merit.

The Guardian

He embraces the need for change and used the Katine media centre based in the office of the African Medical Research Fund to acquire an email address and take part in online chats on this website.

The Guardian

The company is trying to acquire mobile phone numbers from the networks operating in these regions to enable them to make the calls.

The Guardian

He said he was aware his son had loaned $3m to the company and denied knowledge of a plan to acquire shares.

The Guardian

We had submitted our offer to acquire Valencia in December 2013 and did not expect that it is a long and protracted one.

The Guardian - Sport

For permission to re-publish Guardian or Observer content, or acquire a licence to re-distribute our content, please visit our Syndication website.

The Guardian

Even if BAT did not acquire the rest of Reynolds, Citi thinks the two could sign a strategic agreement to share intellectual property, licences and commercialization accords.

The Guardian - Business

On Tuesday the national media published the photograph from Gula's computerised national identity card (CNIC), a vital document that she should not have been able to acquire as a foreign national.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquire" when you want to emphasize the effort or process involved in obtaining something, especially skills, knowledge, or property. It suggests a more deliberate action than simply "get".

Common error

Avoid using "acquire" in very informal settings where a simpler word like "get" or "obtain" would sound more natural. "Acquire" can sometimes come across as overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acquire" is that of a transitive verb. It signifies the action of gaining possession of something, often implying effort or a process. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig, showcasing how "acquire" is used to describe obtaining skills, properties, or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquire" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the act of gaining possession of something. According to Ludwig, it's considered a correct and usable word in written English, suggesting a deliberate process. Its primary function is to convey the gaining of skills, knowledge, or property, primarily found in News & Media, Business and Science contexts. While more formal than "get", it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional and news settings. Alternatives include "obtain", "gain", and "attain", each carrying slightly different connotations. When writing, it's best to avoid "acquire" in very informal contexts where simpler words would sound more natural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain

A more general term for getting something, often implying effort.

gain

Suggests acquiring something through effort or achievement.

attain

Implies reaching a goal or achieving a certain level.

procure

Indicates obtaining something with care or effort, often in a formal context.

secure

Emphasizes the effort to protect the acquisition.

come by

Informal way to say getting something.

get hold of

Informal way to say obtain, usually implies difficulty.

win

To get through competition.

earn

To get something as a result of effort.

develop

To gain or build up over time.

FAQs

How to use "acquire" in a sentence?

You can use "acquire" to indicate gaining possession of something, such as "She acquired a new skill" or "The company plans to acquire its competitor".

What can I say instead of "acquire"?

You can use alternatives like "obtain", "gain", or "attain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "acquire" or "get"?

"Acquire" is more formal than "get" and often implies a more deliberate or effortful process of obtaining something. Use "acquire" when formality and precision are desired, and "get" in more casual contexts.

What's the difference between "acquire" and "earn"?

"Acquire" is a general term for getting something, while "earn" specifically means to get something as a result of effort or labor. You might acquire a company, but you earn a salary.