acquire businesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire businesses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of purchasing or taking control of companies as part of a business strategy or investment plan. Example: "The company plans to acquire businesses in the technology sector to expand its market reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The privatizations largely benefited members of the president's circle, many of whom were able to acquire businesses on advantageous terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sears Holdings was thought to be something of a Berkshire vehicle - a public entity through which to acquire businesses.

The New York Times

His $65 million SPAC, the Australia Acquisition Corporation, went public in November 2010 to acquire businesses in Australia.

The New York Times

"Additionally, we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire businesses, products, services or technologies," the company said.

The Guardian - Tech

In the 1980's, the golden era of buyouts, these investors would acquire businesses by paying 10percentt or less in cash and financing the rest with debt.

The New York Times

Large agrochemical companies are desperately trying to acquire businesses working on similar technologies, in preparation for a decline in demand for their chemicals.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But it has already highlighted the fact that Finmeccanica employs some unusual agents to acquire business.

The Guardian

On the advice of an English friend, his father decided to send him to England to acquire business experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Microsoft announced Monday that it plans to acquire business analytics software developer ProClarity to increase its presence in the business intelligence market.

The New York Times

I remember there was a period of time when I was cold calling to acquire business.

Forbes

Acquire business insurance to protect yourself and your business as you work with clients and employees.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategic business moves, use "acquire businesses" to convey a calculated and intentional decision to expand through company purchases.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire businesses" when referring to simply purchasing products or services from a company. The phrase denotes the purchase of the entire business entity or a significant portion thereof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire businesses" functions as a verb phrase where "acquire" is the transitive verb and "businesses" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, primarily describing corporate actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

30%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acquire businesses" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression primarily found in business and news contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the act of obtaining ownership or control of companies. While alternatives like "purchase companies" or "take over firms" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. The register is generally neutral to professional. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the scope and nature of the acquisition being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire companies

A slightly more general term for obtaining ownership of companies.

purchase companies

Direct synonym; focuses on the transactional aspect of buying companies.

gain control of firms

Emphasizes the acquisition of decision-making power within the company.

take over firms

Implies gaining control of a company, potentially against its will.

buy out businesses

Focuses on buying all shares or a controlling interest.

secure companies

Suggests a strategic effort to obtain ownership or control.

procure companies

Formal term indicating the act of obtaining companies, often in a structured process.

merge with businesses

Implies a combination of two or more companies into one.

invest in businesses

Suggests a financial stake without necessarily gaining full control.

form partnerships with businesses

Implies establishing a formal collaborative relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "acquire businesses" in a sentence?

You can use "acquire businesses" to describe a company's strategy, such as, "The corporation plans to "acquire businesses" in the tech industry to diversify its portfolio".

What are some alternatives to "acquire businesses"?

Alternatives include "purchase companies", "take over firms", or "buy out businesses", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "acquire business" instead of "acquire businesses"?

While "acquire business" can be used, it typically refers to acquiring a single business. "Acquire businesses" implies acquiring multiple companies. Use the plural form when discussing more than one acquisition.

What's the difference between "acquire businesses" and "merge with businesses"?

"Acquire businesses" refers to one entity buying another, whereas "merge with businesses" suggests a more equal combination of two or more entities forming a new entity.