acquire firms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire firms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of business transactions where one company purchases or takes control of another company. Example: "The company plans to acquire firms in the technology sector to expand its market reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They acquire firms outright.

The New Yorker

Page B10 Business LEADER IN CLOUD COMPUTING DRAWS PROFESSIONAL RIVALRY Salesforce.com has begun to see its competitors spend billions of dollars to acquire firms that do what Salesforce has been doing for years: offering business software as a kind of rental service using a cloud of computers inside the Internet.

The New York Times

But recently Salesforce has won the sincerest form of flattery known in tech: its competitors are spending billions of dollars to acquire firms that do the sort of thing it does, which is to offer business software as a kind of rental service using a cloud of computers inside the Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

In an effort to stave off competition, Alibaba has attempted to launch new products, including WeChat competitor Laiwang in 2013, and acquire firms, including an 18% stake in Sina's Weibo - essentially China's Twitter - which recently announced an initial public offering (IPO) share floatation of its own.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"In the business sector, you acquire firm-specific knowledge, which means a career interruption can be very costly".

The New York Times

One interesting example can be found in Kapoor and Lim's (2007) study, where the authors compare the innovative productivity of inventors from acquired firms to that of non-acquired firms and find that inventors in acquired firms are less innovative (Kapoor and Lim 2007).

Journal of Organization Design

Shareholders in acquiring firms typically gain less from mergers than shareholders in acquired firms.

The Economist

They used all sorts of schemes, acquiring firms and paying advisers," he said.

The New York Times

Acquiring firms have to resort to creating new subsidiaries in these countries or complex holding structures.

The Economist

Academic studies of all of the big merger waves of this century have shown clearly that, although shareholders of acquired firms have tended to benefit, those in the acquiring firm have lost.

The Economist

By Definition, shareholders of acquired firms are happy with their dowry, or they would not have parted with their shares.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquire firms" when referring to a deliberate business strategy of growth and market expansion, ensuring it aligns with the overall narrative of corporate development.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire firms" interchangeably with simply "investing in" or "partnering with" companies. Acquisition implies a transfer of ownership and control, which is different from a minority investment or strategic alliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire firms" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action (acquiring) performed on an object (firms). As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in business contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquire firms" is a grammatically correct and professionally acceptable term used to describe the act of purchasing or taking control of other companies. As Ludwig AI points out, it's most frequently used in news and media and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While it's a valid phrase, alternatives like "purchase businesses" or "take over companies" may be preferred in certain situations to provide clarity or avoid potential misunderstandings. Therefore, while acceptable, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when using "acquire firms".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purchase businesses

Focuses on the act of buying businesses, emphasizing the financial transaction.

take over companies

Highlights the aspect of gaining control over existing companies.

buy out firms

Emphasizes acquiring all shares or controlling interest in firms.

merge with businesses

Suggests a combination of two entities rather than a complete takeover.

expand through acquisition

Highlights growth as the primary motive for acquiring businesses.

integrate businesses

Focuses on combining operations and resources after an acquisition.

invest in companies

Implies a financial stake without necessarily gaining full control.

consolidate industries

Suggests a broader trend of merging and acquiring within a specific sector.

form partnerships with firms

Indicates a collaborative agreement rather than an acquisition.

establish subsidiaries

Focuses on creating new entities under the parent company.

FAQs

What does "acquire firms" mean in a business context?

In business, "acquire firms" means to purchase or take control of other companies, often as a strategy for growth, market expansion, or diversification. It involves obtaining ownership of the acquired company's assets and liabilities.

What are some alternatives to saying "acquire firms"?

Some alternatives include "purchase businesses", "take over companies", "buy out firms", or "merge with businesses", depending on the specific type of transaction.

How does "acquire firms" differ from "invest in companies"?

"Acquire firms" implies gaining ownership and control, whereas "investing in companies" usually refers to taking a financial stake without necessarily controlling the company's operations or management. The level of control is the key difference.

Is it correct to use "acquire firms" in both formal and informal contexts?

While "acquire firms" is generally acceptable, it is more common in formal business writing and discussions. In more informal settings, simpler terms like "buy companies" or "take over businesses" might be preferred.