acquire education

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquire education" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of gaining an education, either through formal schooling or a self-directed study. For example: "He felt passionate about learning and determined to acquire education in any way he could."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

While Danish social policies for children produce more favorable cognitive test scores for disadvantaged children, these do not translate into more favorable educational outcomes, partly because of disincentives to acquire education arising from the redistributional policies that increase income mobility.

University of Chicago

So it's irrelevant to me whether or not people can spell or have read the classics of literature, unless they want to acquire education and want me to help with that.

The New Yorker

When educated people emigrate and settle in a richer country, the poorer country suffers a direct loss; but by demonstrating that the effort to acquire education can end triumphantly, it can encourage many others to pursue an education, too.

The New York Times

Workers differ in the ability to acquire education.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Informal employment opportunities foregone with education may simply reduce the incentives for workers to acquire education.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Patients use the Web to acquire education; a decade ago that would have consumed costly face time with doctors.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Over the past few decades, men have lagged behind women in acquiring education and skills.

The New York Times

The company acquired education software maker Edline and two competitors who assist schools using open-source software.

The Washington Post

Nevertheless, in increasing numbers the children of minor officials, small tradesmen, and especially priests were acquiring education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This result is driven by the fact that students do not consider an externality in the working environment of acquiring education for investment purposes.

Research in Economics

With his newly acquired education in e-commerce, did it worry him that Domino was offering stale content on its debut?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquire education" to emphasize the process of actively gaining knowledge and skills, whether through formal schooling, self-study, or practical experience.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire education" when the context implies passive reception of information. Instead, use phrases like "receive instruction" or "be taught" if the emphasis is on being given information rather than actively seeking it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acquire education" is as a verb phrase, where "acquire" acts as a transitive verb taking "education" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples of the phrase in context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquire education" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression denoting the act of gaining knowledge and skills through learning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for describing active engagement in educational pursuits across various contexts. Common alternatives include "pursue education", "obtain an education", and "gain knowledge", each carrying slightly different nuances. While generally versatile, it's important to use "acquire education" when emphasizing the active role of the learner. With a neutral to formal register and frequent occurrence in science, news, and academic sources, mastering the usage of "acquire education" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pursue an education

Focuses more on the active and ongoing effort involved in getting an education.

Obtain an education

Emphasizes the successful achievement of gaining educational qualifications.

Gain knowledge

Highlights the increase in understanding and information acquired through learning.

Receive instruction

Focuses on the formal aspect of being taught or trained.

Undergo training

Implies a structured program designed to develop specific skills.

Develop expertise

Emphasizes the growth of specialized skills and knowledge in a particular area.

Get qualifications

Focuses specifically on earning certificates or degrees.

Further studies

Refers to continuing education beyond a basic level.

Improve skills

Highlights the enhancement of existing abilities through learning.

Attend school

Focuses on the act of regularly going to an educational institution.

FAQs

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

You can use "acquire education" to describe the act of gaining knowledge or skills through learning, such as, "Many students /s/pursue+education target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pursue education to improve their career prospects".

What are some alternatives to "acquire education"?

Alternatives include "/s/obtain+an+education" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">obtain an education", "/s/pursue+an+education" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pursue an education", or "/s/gain+knowledge" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">gain knowledge", depending on the specific context.

Is it more common to say "acquire an education" or "acquire education"?

While both are grammatically correct, "acquire education" is more commonly used. The inclusion of "an" depends on the specific style guide or writing preference. However, remember that "education" starts with a vowel SOUND in words like "educational" - so using "an" might be more grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "acquire education" and "receive education"?

"Acquire education" implies a more active role in seeking knowledge, whereas "/s/receive+education" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">receive education" suggests a more passive role, where education is given to the individual.