acquire intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining knowledge, understanding, or cognitive abilities, often in contexts related to learning or artificial intelligence. Example: "Through rigorous training and experience, the team was able to acquire intelligence that significantly improved their decision-making processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The agency continues to acquire intelligence suggesting that Al Qaeda is planning attacks on America, he told me.

The New Yorker

We want to acquire intelligence that will enable future operations against al Qaeda and the Taliban not just in Afghanistan, but worldwide, including here in the United States.

Yale University

The document, which was adopted as force strategy, says: "It is imperative that CID officers seize every opportunity to acquire intelligence on subversive organisations".

The Guardian

Individuals across the UK, including in Manchester and London, are being employed on temporary assignments to acquire intelligence on specific targets, according to sources within the Muslim community.

The Guardian

It can now be disclosed that the Libyan rebels have been using the Aeryon Scout Micro UAV to acquire intelligence on enemy positions and to coordinate their resistance efforts.

The New York Times

May also underlined the "vital part" played by the security agencies' "bulk powers" – the mass collection and storage of everyone's communications data in Britain and the bulk interception of the content of communications of those based overseas to acquire intelligence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Wisdom summons human beings--all of them --to "learn prudence, acquire inthem --toe"--them --topay attention!

Huffington Post

The team acquires "intelligence that would only be useful to a government", the firm said.

The Guardian - Tech

The program, she said, "was not an effective means of acquiring intelligence or gaining cooperation from detainees".

The Guardian

It also provides the first hint of how the United States acquired intelligence from Iranian scientists, besides its previously reported penetrations of Iranian computer systems.

The New York Times

The CIA's use of its enhanced interrogation techniques was not an effective means of acquiring intelligence or gaining cooperation from detainees.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acquire intelligence" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly defines the type of intelligence being acquired, such as military, business, or personal intelligence. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your message.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire intelligence" in contexts where more specific terms like "gather data" or "gain insights" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire intelligence" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "acquire" acts as a transitive verb taking "intelligence" as its direct object. It describes the action of obtaining or gaining knowledge, understanding, or information, especially of a strategic or insightful nature. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquire intelligence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the process of obtaining strategic or insightful knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly found in contexts related to news, academia, and science. While it can be used in various situations, it's important to consider more specific alternatives like "gather data" or "gain insights" to avoid overgeneralization. The phrase generally carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for formal writing and strategic discussions. As with any phrase, context is key to ensuring its appropriateness and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain understanding

Focuses on achieving comprehension of a particular subject or situation.

gather information

Focuses on the collection of facts, often implying a broader scope than just intelligence.

learn details

Highlights the process of personally discovering specific pieces of information.

obtain data

Emphasizes the raw, unprocessed nature of the information being acquired.

glean information

Implies a more subtle or indirect method of acquiring information.

extract data

Focuses on obtaining specific pieces of information from a larger source.

collect insights

Highlights the process of gaining understanding and deeper knowledge.

procure details

Suggests a more formal or structured approach to obtaining specific facts.

develop knowledge

Stresses the growth and evolution of understanding over time.

secure knowledge

Emphasizes the effort and potential difficulty in obtaining information.

FAQs

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

You can use "acquire intelligence" to describe the process of gaining information or understanding, such as "The agency aims to acquire intelligence about potential threats" or "Researchers are working to acquire intelligence on the effects of climate change".

What can I say instead of "acquire intelligence"?

You can use alternatives like "gain understanding", "gather information", or "develop knowledge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "acquire intelligence" or "obtaining intelligence"?

"Acquire intelligence" is a more direct and concise phrasing, while "obtaining intelligence" is also correct but slightly more verbose. The choice depends on the desired tone and flow of your writing.

What's the difference between "acquire intelligence" and "acquire information"?

"Acquire intelligence" often implies gaining strategic or insightful knowledge, while "acquire information" is a more general term for obtaining any kind of data or facts. Intelligence typically refers to processed or analyzed information.