acquire a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquire a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe the process of obtaining a degree, such as from a university or college. For example, "He worked hard to acquire a degree in business administration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Some musicians slowly acquire a degree of absolute pitch, if only for the familiar a′ = 440.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you were to acquire a degree in one of these programs, how might you use it in your own community and/or elsewhere in the world?

The New York Times

A quiet child fond of music, he was sent to toughen up at boarding school and detested it, later drifting through a series of educational establishments while neglecting to acquire a degree.

The Guardian - Arts

The group hopes that debate on its proposals would allow the draft bill to be refined and improved and acquire a degree of consent that would enable a future government to secure its parliamentary passage.

The Guardian

She worked for a year as a secretary and attended nightschool to acquire a degree in education, then became a teacher of history and English at secondary schools in suburban Cleveland.

The New York Times

It pursued ad hoc measures in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, but declined to adopt a systematic federalism that might properly have embraced England as well; and it created a new Scottish parliament and local electoral system that helped the SNP to acquire a degree of power that it had never previously possessed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Even at its first showing it acquired a degree of notoriety.

The Guardian

Banti acquired a degree in art and became literary editor of the important arts journal Paragone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After acquiring a degree (and a secret fiancée) at Berkeley — "It is possible to get an education at a university.

The New York Times - Books

In the meantime, he acquired a degree from the University of California; worked for the family newspaper, the Oakland Tribune; and chaired the executive committee of the Republican National Committee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1927 in Bandung, where he had just acquired a degree in civil engineering, he found his true calling in oratory and politics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing educational achievements in formal contexts, "acquire a degree" adds a touch of sophistication. Use it to emphasize the gaining of knowledge and skills, not just the receipt of a certificate.

Common error

Don't use "acquire a degree" when a simpler term like "get a degree" suffices. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire a degree" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of gaining a degree. It's used to indicate the process of obtaining academic qualifications. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquire a degree" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of obtaining an academic qualification. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While less common than alternatives like "get a degree", it adds a level of formality suitable for professional and academic contexts. The phrase appears in various reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, primarily in news and scientific domains. When choosing between similar phrases, consider the audience and desired tone, as "acquire a degree" conveys a more sophisticated nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtain a degree

Uses "obtain" instead of "acquire", implying a more direct process of gaining the degree.

Earn a degree

Emphasizes the effort and work involved in achieving the degree.

Pursue a degree

Focuses on the act of striving towards a degree.

Get a degree

A more informal and common way of expressing the act of receiving a degree.

Secure a degree

Suggests a competitive or challenging process of attaining the degree.

Complete a degree

Highlights the finished aspect of the learning path.

Attain a degree

Similar to "obtain", but may imply a higher level of achievement.

Receive a degree

Focuses on the act of being awarded the degree.

Undergo degree studies

Focuses on the entire process of degree related studies.

Achieve a degree

Like earn, emphasizes the effort for completing the degree.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "acquire a degree"?

You can use alternatives like "obtain a degree", "earn a degree", or "get a degree" depending on the context.

Is "acquire a degree" formal or informal?

"Acquire a degree" is more formal than saying "get a degree". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing which phrase to use.

How to use "acquire a degree" in a sentence?

You can use "acquire a degree" in a sentence like, "She worked diligently to acquire a degree in engineering" or "Many students acquire a degree to enhance their career prospects".

What is the difference between "acquire a degree" and "earn a degree"?

While both phrases are similar, "acquire a degree" focuses on obtaining knowledge and skills, while "earn a degree" implies effort and hard work put into getting the degree.