are being acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an action is currently taking place, specifically when referring to the process of obtaining or gaining ownership of something. Example: "The companies are being acquired by a larger corporation to expand their market reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Similar high-resolution images are being acquired in the laboratory of Jeff Lichtman at Harvard University.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They have money and are being acquired for their cash rather than for their technology.

The New York Times

But these weapons are being acquired in large part to counter Israel's.

The Economist

In some cases, emerging companies are being acquired by strategic and financial buyers rather than going public.

Harvard University

The stakes are being acquired in Lena Chow Advertising in Palo Alto, Calif., and Remtulla & Associates in Montreal and Toronto.

The New York Times

Most of the new shares are being acquired by the Intrexon Corporation, bringing its stake in AquaBounty to 53.8 percent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Wachovia is being acquired by Wells Fargo & Company.

The New York Times

Again, something was being acquired and passed on.

The Guardian

It is being acquired from investors, 3i and Enterprise Equity.

The New York Times

(House of Blues is being acquired by Live Nation).

The New York Times - Arts

Land is being acquired cheaply from bankrupt developers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being acquired", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the acquiring and what is being acquired. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are being acquired" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The company is being acquired by them", consider "They are acquiring the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being acquired" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. Ludwig confirms it describes an ongoing action where the subject is receiving the action of being obtained or taken over, rather than performing the action. This construction is useful for emphasizing the object of the acquisition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being acquired" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive voice construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to describe an ongoing process of obtaining or taking control, emphasizing the object undergoing acquisition. The phrase maintains a neutral to professional register, making it versatile across various contexts like news reporting, scientific research, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context specifies who or what is doing the acquiring to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "are being obtained" or "are being purchased" can offer subtle variations in meaning depending on the specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being obtained

Replaces "acquired" with "obtained", a more general term for getting something.

are being purchased

Replaces "acquired" with "purchased", emphasizing a transaction involving money.

are being procured

Replaces "acquired" with "procured", often used in formal or business contexts for obtaining something.

are being secured

Replaces "acquired" with "secured", highlighting the effort to gain something.

are being taken over

Replaces "acquired" with "taken over", emphasizing a transfer of control.

are being assimilated

Replaces "acquired" with "assimilated", suggesting integration into a larger entity.

are being appropriated

Replaces "acquired" with "appropriated", implying a formal allocation or setting aside.

are being commandeered

Replaces "acquired" with "commandeered", suggesting taking possession, often temporarily.

are being annexed

Replaces "acquired" with "annexed", often used in political or territorial contexts to describe the seizure of something.

are being possessed

Replaces "acquired" with "possessed", conveying ownership or control.

FAQs

How to use "are being acquired" in a sentence?

Use "are being acquired" to describe a situation where something is in the process of being obtained or taken over by someone else. For example, "The shares "are being acquired" by a foreign investor".

What can I say instead of "are being acquired"?

You can use alternatives like "are being purchased", "are being obtained", or "are being taken over", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is being acquired" instead of "are being acquired"?

The choice between "is being acquired" and "are being acquired" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "is being acquired" for singular subjects (e.g., "The company is being acquired") and "are being acquired" for plural subjects (e.g., "The assets are being acquired").

What is the difference between "are acquiring" and "are being acquired"?

"Are acquiring" is active voice, indicating that someone is actively obtaining something. "Are being acquired" is passive voice, indicating that something is the recipient of the acquisition. For example, "They are acquiring the land" vs. "The land "are being acquired" by them".