acquire citizenship

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquire citizenship" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about obtaining citizenship in a country, either through naturalization or marriage. For example: The new immigrants were able to acquire citizenship by taking the Oath of Allegiance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

That would make it easier for the children of immigrants to acquire citizenship.

The Economist

By Georgian law, if you acquire citizenship abroad, you automatically lose your Georgian citizenship.

The Economist

She urged Lun to acquire citizenship so that he could get a passport.

The New York Times - Magazine

Meanwhile, naturalization still rested on the 1790 law that declared that noncitizens could acquire citizenship only if they were "white".

The New York Times

There was also evidence that panicked expatriates were trying to acquire citizenship and naturalisation in other EU countries.

The Guardian

About 20 percent of Canadians are foreign born (compared with 12.5 percent in the United States), and they are quicker to acquire citizenship and voting rights.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Many have learned Estonian and acquired citizenship.

The Economist

The overwhelming majority had not acquired citizenship.

The New York Times - Magazine

He lived in Athens and eventually acquired citizenship.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They soon married and both became legal residents; Mr. Bercian learned English and acquired citizenship.

The New York Times

Most of the Palestinians who acquired citizenship after 1994 come from just inside Israel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about immigration or legal processes, use "acquire citizenship" to clearly indicate the act of obtaining citizenship through established procedures like naturalization or marriage.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire residency" when you mean to discuss the process of becoming a citizen. Residency and citizenship are distinct legal statuses with different rights and responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire citizenship" functions as a verb phrase + noun, indicating the action of obtaining citizenship in a specific country. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquire citizenship" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used expression referring to the process of gaining citizenship in a country. It is often used in formal contexts such as news reports, legal documents, and academic articles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and understood. Related phrases include "obtain citizenship", "gain citizenship", and "become a citizen". When using the phrase, it's important to differentiate between residency and citizenship, and to use the phrase appropriately in discussions of immigration and naturalization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain citizenship

Emphasizes the act of gaining citizenship, similar to "acquire citizenship".

gain citizenship

Focuses on the result of getting citizenship.

attain citizenship

Highlights the achievement of reaching citizenship status.

secure citizenship

Implies making citizenship certain or safe.

procure citizenship

Suggests a formal or official process of obtaining citizenship.

become a citizen

States the outcome of the process, focusing on the resulting status.

naturalize

Specifically refers to the process of becoming a citizen through naturalization.

get naturalized

Informal way of saying naturalize.

apply for citizenship

Highlights the initial step in the process of becoming a citizen.

seek citizenship

Emphasizes the active pursuit of citizenship.

FAQs

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

You can use "acquire citizenship" to describe the process of gaining citizenship in a country. For example, "Immigrants can "acquire citizenship" through naturalization or marriage."

What's the difference between "acquire citizenship" and "become a citizen"?

"Acquire citizenship" emphasizes the process of obtaining citizenship, while "become a citizen" focuses on the resulting status. They are often used interchangeably, but "acquire citizenship" is more specific to the action.

What are some synonyms for "acquire citizenship"?

Synonyms for "acquire citizenship" include "obtain citizenship", "gain citizenship", and "attain citizenship", all of which describe the act of getting citizenship.

Is it correct to say "acquiring citizenship"?

Yes, "acquiring citizenship" is the gerund form of the phrase and is perfectly acceptable. For example, "Acquiring citizenship often requires passing a language proficiency test."