acquired it from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquired it from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the source or origin of something that has been obtained or received. Example: "She acquired it from a rare book dealer who specializes in antique texts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Bany and her husband, who is also 44 and a former manager of retail operations at Columbia Sportswear, bought Moonstruck from a group of investors that had acquired it from its founders, Deb and Bill Simmonds.

The New York Times

In 1996, Caldera bought a product called DR-DOS from Novell, which had acquired it from its creator, Digital Research.

Forbes

Its late owner, Ethel Strong Allen, acquired it from Hirschl & Adler Galleries in 1979 and it was being sold for the benefit of Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York, as part of a bequest from her estate.

The New York Times - Arts

Warhol had acquired it from Chamberlain around 1962, further enhancing its value as an icon of art history.

The New York Times - Arts

(Utah later acquired it from Phoenix).

The New York Times

The Independent was losing a fortune when the Lebedevs acquired it from Independent News & Media.

The Guardian

The dealer said he had acquired it from an anonymous American.

The New York Times

The CIA acquired it from paid informants within the Socialist Party.

The Washington Post

It's possible that the infected woman acquired it from food or person-to-person transmission.

The Washington Post

Or the Haida may have acquired it from an American whittler.

The New York Times - Arts

Kinsey acquired it from a biologist who specialised in porcupines, and they too feature in the film.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal contexts, "acquired it from" is preferable to alternatives like "got it from". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "acquired it from" in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "got it from" or "received it from" are more appropriate. Using formal language in casual conversation can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquired it from" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the source or origin of something. It specifies where or whom something was obtained from. Ludwig provides examples of this phrase used in various contexts, demonstrating its function in specifying the source of acquisition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquired it from" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the source of something obtained. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in formal contexts like news reports and academic writing. While alternatives exist, such as "obtained it from" or "received it from", selecting the most appropriate phrase depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to maintain clarity by specifying what 'it' refers to and to avoid using the phrase in very informal settings where simpler language is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained it from

Replaces "acquired" with "obtained", a direct synonym focusing on the act of getting something.

received it from

Substitutes "acquired" with "received", emphasizing the act of being given something.

got it from

Uses the more informal "got" in place of "acquired", making it suitable for casual contexts.

purchased it from

Specifies that the acquisition was through buying, adding a transactional element.

bought it from

A simpler and more direct way of saying "purchased it from", also indicating a transaction.

procured it from

Replaces "acquired" with "procured", suggesting a more formal or deliberate effort to obtain something.

inherited it from

Indicates that the acquisition was through inheritance, specifying the means of obtaining.

took possession of it from

A more formal and legalistic way of saying "acquired it from", emphasizing the act of taking ownership.

came into possession of it through

More verbose and emphasizes the process of obtaining something, often over time.

secured it from

Highlights the effort or strategy involved in obtaining something, often implying competition or difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "acquired it from" in a sentence?

Use "acquired it from" to indicate the source from which something was obtained. For example, "The museum "acquired it from" a private collector".

What are some alternatives to "acquired it from"?

You can use alternatives such as "obtained it from", "received it from", or "bought it from" depending on the specific context.

Is "acquired it from" formal or informal?

"Acquired it from" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, consider using "got it from".

What is the difference between "acquired it from" and "inherited it from"?

"Acquired it from" is a general term for obtaining something, while "inherited it from" specifically means receiving something as an inheritance.