acquiring

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquiring" is a correct and usable word in written English, and it can be used as both a verb and a noun.
For example: "The company is in the process of acquiring new resources in order to increase staff productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As products move through the supply chain, the tax paid on the products by acquiring merchants can be deducted from the tax that the merchants then charge to their customers.

The Guardian - Money

In the meantime, the company's stock – publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange since it took a back-door approach to an initial public offering in January, acquiring an already-public mining company in what is known as a reverse takeover – offers US gold bugs with a taste for risk and adventure another way to join the party.

The Guardian - Money

Like insurance companies and tampons, unions have got into a daft habit of acquiring meaningless names.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lovefilm, which has emerged as the leading player since online DVD rentals came to Britain in 2004, announced yesterday it is acquiring Amazon Europe's rental business in Britain and Germany in a move it hopes will take it to a mass market.

The Guardian - Business

To ensure that he hasn’t failed, he has gone to the trouble of living rough in London for a week, armed only with 27p and some tins of Special Brew (for Antonia Bird’s Safe), spent six days acquiring his Passenger-Carrying Vehicle Licence (for Loach’s Carla’s Song) and embarked on all manner of crazy research.

The Guardian - Film

"The number of countries acquiring drones has been rapidly going up," he told the Guardian.

The Guardian

South of the border, it is acquiring precisely the caricatured significance of the "loony left" in the 80s: a supposedly militant force that Miliband cannot control and would (the argument continues) control him if he depended on its votes to govern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Twitter is discussing the possibility of acquiring the social media aggregation app Flipboard at a valuation of more than $1bn, according to reports.

The Guardian - Tech

But it's simply not good enough to dismiss the dossier as acquiring a significance beyond what it deserved.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chaos and uncertainty and poor parenting produce a range of biochemical processes that lead to a reduced ability to learn, to engage socially, and to an increased exposure to acquiring chronic disease in later life.

The Guardian

"None compares with elderberry wine which, because of its quota of tannin, will mature for several years in the bottle, acquiring its own splenetic English finish".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acquiring", consider the specific nuance you want to convey – is it about obtaining, securing, or simply gaining possession? Choose synonyms or related phrases to reflect this nuance more accurately.

Common error

While "acquiring" is versatile, avoid overuse, particularly in formal writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "obtaining", "procuring", or "securing" to maintain a professional tone and avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acquiring" is as a present participle or gerund of the verb "acquire". It functions as a verb when used in continuous tenses (e.g., "is acquiring") and as a noun when used as a gerund (e.g., "acquiring knowledge"). Ludwig AI confirms its versatility and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquiring" is a versatile verb form, functioning as both a present participle and a gerund, widely used to describe the process of gaining possession or obtaining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and diverse application across various contexts, from News & Media to Formal & Business, highlight its utility. While generally neutral in register, varying your language with synonyms like "obtaining" or "securing" can enhance your writing. Be mindful of the specific nuance you want to convey and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtaining

A direct synonym, focusing on the act of getting something.

Taking ownership of

Emphasizes the act of assuming ownership.

Gaining possession of

Emphasizes the act of taking ownership.

Securing

Highlights the act of making something safe or certain, often in the context of acquisition.

Procuring

Suggests effort or planning in acquiring.

Coming into possession of

Focuses on the transition of ownership.

Assuming control of

Highlights the act of gaining power or authority.

Getting hold of

An informal way to describe obtaining something.

Earning

Focuses on acquiring something through effort or work.

Winning

Highlights acquiring something through competition or chance.

FAQs

How is "acquiring" used in a sentence?

You can use "acquiring" to describe the process of gaining possession of something, such as "The company is "acquiring new assets"" or "She is "acquiring new skills"".

What can I say instead of "acquiring"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "obtaining", "securing", "gaining", or "procuring".

What's the difference between "acquiring" and "purchasing"?

"Acquiring" is a broader term that encompasses any means of gaining possession, while "purchasing" specifically refers to "acquiring something by paying for it".

When is it appropriate to use "acquiring" in formal writing?

"Acquiring" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to describe the "process of gaining something", whether it's knowledge, skills, or possessions. However, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms for variety.