acquire control of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire control of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe the process of gaining power over something. For example, "The new CEO was determined to acquire control of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In January, Mr. Fourtou paid 4 billion euros to acquire control of Cegetel, beating out an offer from the Vodafone Group of Britain.

The New York Times

C1 Viacom Seeks Second Network The owner of CBS made a deal to acquire control of UPN, raising the prospect of one company owning two broadcast television networks.

The New York Times

The case involves a venture, managed by Mr. Kozeny, to acquire control of the lucrative state-run petroleum company in Azerbaijan.

The New York Times

Then last week they paid $87 million to acquire control of a small investment firm called Deerfield & Company, which manages $8.1 billion for pension funds and other institutions.

The New York Times

Minority shareholders like Mr. Murdoch and Mr. Berlusconi would contribute to the rescue, and the combined group would acquire control of KirchMedia.

The New York Times

Vattenfall is also bidding for a stake in Poland's nationwide electricity distributor, a link that could prove valuable if it were also to acquire control of VEAG.

The New York Times

The deal to acquire control of RTL is the first time that Bertelsmann has used its shares to finance a major acquisition.

The New York Times

He was chief executive of the Franklin American Corporation, a public company in Tennessee that Mr. Frankel used secretly to acquire control of insurance companies.

The New York Times

It also said it would acquire control of NorthPoint Communications, a high-speed Internet provider, a deal that would further dilute earnings.

The New York Times

The company will also make an undisclosed investment in Digital Boardwalk and acquire control of Meister Brothers Investments, which has investments in nine Internet companies.

The New York Times

Since that deal, some analysts have speculated that Yahoo would acquire control of Right Media to help it compete against the Google-DoubleClick alliance.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acquire control of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being controlled and the method of acquisition. Be specific about the object of control to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire control of" when the situation involves influence rather than direct authority. It's important to accurately reflect the level of influence or power gained; consider alternatives like "gain influence over" if full control isn't achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire control of" functions as a verb phrase typically used to describe the action of gaining authority, ownership, or dominance over something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The examples from Ludwig illustrate this function in various contexts, from business acquisitions to political power struggles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acquire control of" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of gaining authority, ownership, or dominance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is primarily found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While it can be interchanged with alternatives like "take command of" or "gain mastery over", it’s crucial to maintain specificity and avoid overstating the degree of control. When writing, clarity is key to communicate your ideas properly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take command of

Focuses on the act of assuming leadership or authority.

assume command of

Highlights the act of taking on a leadership role.

gain mastery over

Emphasizes achieving a high level of skill or control.

establish dominance over

Stresses the creation of a position of power or control.

exercise authority over

Highlights the use of power or control.

seize authority over

Implies a forceful or decisive act of taking control.

secure a grip on

Suggests a firm and stable control over something.

wrest control of

Implies a struggle or effort to gain control.

bring under control

Focuses on the action of managing or regulating something.

dominate

A shorter, more direct way of expressing control.

FAQs

How can I use "acquire control of" in a sentence?

You can use "acquire control of" to describe the act of gaining authority or ownership over something. For example, "The company sought to acquire control of its competitor through a merger."

What are some alternatives to "acquire control of"?

Some alternatives include "take command of", "gain mastery over", or "seize authority over", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "acquire control of" or simply "control"?

"Acquire control of" emphasizes the process of gaining control, whereas "control" simply refers to the state of having it. Use "acquire control of" when you want to highlight the transition or effort involved in gaining control.

What's the difference between "acquire control of" and "establish control of"?

"Acquire control of" focuses on the action of getting control, while "establish control of" focuses on setting up or solidifying that control after it has been acquired. The phrase "establish control of" implies a process of making the control secure and stable.