attempting to acquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to acquire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of trying to obtain something, whether it be information, skills, or resources. Example: "The company is currently attempting to acquire new technology to improve its production process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, visibility of structures is severely hampered when attempting to acquire optoacoustic images under limited-view tomographic geometries.

Photoacoustics

She has pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to acquire a biological agent or toxin last December.

Independent

And the British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is attempting to acquire the biotechnology company Human Genome Sciences for $2.6 billion.

The New York Times

She pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to acquire a biological agent or toxin in December.

Independent

Even a robust inspection and monitoring regime might not keep Iraq from attempting to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

The New York Times

Clearly, Saddam Hussein... is attempting to acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Like the 2008 deal in which Finish Line attempted to acquire the much larger Genesco, this also ended badly.

The New York Times

lock_try - Attempt to acquire access rights to a lock.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Smulyan has twice attempted to acquire the company.

The New York Times

In 1964, Chase Manhattan attempted to acquire the Toronto Dominion bank.

The New York Times

When kdb5_util is run, it attempts to acquire the master key and open the database.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, consider synonyms like "endeavoring to procure" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

While "attempting to acquire" is grammatically correct, overuse in informal settings can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "trying to get" or "looking to obtain" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to acquire" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun or part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing effort. Ludwig shows numerous examples of it being used across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempting to acquire" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the process of trying to obtain something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, though simpler alternatives might be preferred in informal settings. Its frequent appearance in news, academic, and scientific sources suggests a neutral to formal register. When writing, be mindful of the specific context and choose the most appropriate synonym to convey the intended meaning and tone. This phrase is often used when discussing ongoing efforts where success is not yet guaranteed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to obtain

Replaces "attempting" with "seeking", emphasizing the intent and process of trying to get something.

trying to secure

Substitutes "acquire" with "secure", suggesting an effort to protect or firmly obtain something.

endeavoring to procure

Uses more formal language, replacing "attempting" with "endeavoring" and "acquire" with "procure".

working to gain

Emphasizes the effort involved, replacing "attempting" with "working" and "acquire" with "gain".

aiming to attain

Focuses on the goal, using "aiming" instead of "attempting" and "attain" for "acquire".

striving to achieve

Highlights the dedication involved, replacing "attempting" with "striving" and "acquire" with "achieve".

making an effort to obtain

Replaces the single phrase with a more descriptive one.

in the process of procuring

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the attempt, using "procuring" instead of "acquire".

taking steps to secure

Emphasizes the actions taken, using "secure" to suggest a more active and strategic approach.

setting out to get

Uses more informal language to convey the attempt to obtain something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "attempting to acquire"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking to obtain", "trying to secure", or "endeavoring to procure" depending on the context.

How to use "attempting to acquire" in a sentence?

You can use "attempting to acquire" to describe the process of trying to get or obtain something, for example: "The company is attempting to acquire a new patent." or "The student is attempting to acquire better study habits."

Which is correct, "attempting to acquire" or "attempting to aquire"?

"Attempting to acquire" is the correct spelling. "Aquire" is a misspelling of "acquire".

What is the difference between "attempting to acquire" and "acquiring"?

"Attempting to acquire" implies an ongoing effort that may or may not be successful. "Acquiring" suggests the process has been completed successfully.