acquire debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire debt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of taking on financial obligations or borrowing money. Example: "Many students acquire debt while pursuing their higher education degrees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"You either work, or you acquire debt".

The New York Times

"I hated watching my friends go to school, pay for school, acquire debt, then get a job that would never help them pay off that debt," he wrote.

The New Yorker

Also, a significant amount of law students, including Fluke, take out loans to pay for their degrees (it costs $140,595 total to attend Georgetown law school), and acquire debt throughout their time in school.

Huffington Post

Defer all capital gain on your transaction by purchasing property that is equal to or greater in value than your relinquished property; reinvest all of the net equity from your relinquished property in the replacement property; and acquire debt on the replacement property that is equal to or greater than the debt on your relinquished property.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Plans to allow 50,000 would-be graduates a year to acquire "debt-free" honours degrees, part-funded by their employers, are being considered by Labour in order to tailor university education more closely to the needs of business and young people.

The Guardian

Sajjan Jindal has put in bids to acquire debt-strapped rivals, which are being sold under India's Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

Forbes

You can't travel without money, so the first thing you would have to do is to check if you really have the money for this trip, because acquire debts can only make you stressed.

WikiHow

"It has paid down debt quite aggressively since November '98," when it acquired debt of nearly $7 billion, Mr. Sheehan said.

The New York Times

It is controlled by two New York-based hedge funds, JDS Capital and Cerberus Partners, which specialize in acquiring debt in distressed companies.

The New York Times

She argues that it would help businesses become more competitive as well as offering young people a way of furthering their education without acquiring debt.

The Guardian

The new Kmart came out of bankruptcy in 2003 under his control — he had acquired debt in the company at low prices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the specific means of incurring debt, clarify whether it's through loans, credit cards, or other financial instruments.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire debt" when you actually mean managing, reducing, or paying off debt. "Acquire" refers specifically to the act of taking on new debt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire debt" functions as a verb phrase where "acquire" is the verb and "debt" is the direct object. It describes the action of taking on financial obligations or incurring debt. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquire debt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of taking on financial obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It commonly appears in news, wiki articles and scientific publications. While "acquire debt" is suitable in many contexts, considering alternatives like "incur debt" or "take on debt" can provide subtle differences in meaning, depending on the desired emphasis. It's crucial to avoid confusing "acquire debt" with debt management strategies. Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and accurate communication about financial matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incur debt

Focuses more on the process of becoming subject to debt.

take on debt

Emphasizes the voluntary assumption of debt.

accumulate debt

Highlights the gradual increase in debt over time.

contract debt

Implies a formal agreement or contract leading to debt.

run up debt

Suggests a rapid or careless increase in debt.

get into debt

A more informal way of saying someone is in the process of acquiring debt.

become indebted

Focuses on the state of owing money.

assume financial obligations

A broader term that encompasses debt along with other financial responsibilities.

take out loans

Specifies the method of acquiring debt through borrowing.

become liable for debt

Emphasizes the legal responsibility associated with the debt.

FAQs

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

You can use "acquire debt" when referring to the act of taking on new financial obligations, such as "Many students "acquire debt" to finance their education".

What is a more formal alternative to "acquire debt"?

A more formal alternative to "acquire debt" is to "incur debt", which emphasizes the process of becoming subject to a financial obligation.

Is it better to say "acquire debt" or "take on debt"?

Both "acquire debt" and "take on debt" are acceptable. "Take on debt" emphasizes the voluntary assumption of the debt, while "acquire debt" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "acquire debt" and "accumulate debt"?

"Acquire debt" refers to the initial act of incurring debt, while "accumulate debt" suggests a gradual increase in the amount of debt over time.