be acquired by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be acquired by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing ownership, business transactions, or the process of obtaining something. Example: "The company is expected to be acquired by a larger firm within the next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

could be acquired by Vodafone.

The New York Times

Sprint agreed to be acquired by MCI Worldcom last October.

The New York Times

Will Be Acquired by New Concern for $2,700,000.

The New York Times

Thus, prophecy could not be acquired by human effort.

Britannica

So he clearly must be acquired by the Knicks!

The New York Times - Sports

Others will merge together or be acquired by other banks".

The New York Times

So he clearly should not be acquired by the Knicks!

The New York Times - Sports

It also heightened some speculation that ImClone could be acquired by Bristol-Myers.

The New York Times

Social enterprises are far less likely to merge or be acquired by a competitor.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Instead, the company was acquired by CBS.

The New York Times

(Landmark was acquired by Halliburton in 1996).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be acquired by", ensure that the subject is clearly defined and the acquiring entity is specified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The company is expected to be acquired by a larger firm within the next quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "be acquired by" in overly general statements without specifying the entities involved. Instead of saying "Acquisition is expected", clarify with "The startup is expected to be acquired by a major corporation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be acquired by" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of an action, specifically the act of being taken over or bought by another entity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be acquired by" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent phrase, as verified by Ludwig, used to denote that a company or entity is being taken over by another. Its usage is most common in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. To ensure clarity, it's vital to explicitly state both the entity being acquired and the acquiring entity. While alternatives like "be taken over by" or "be merged with" exist, they carry subtly different implications. Using "be acquired by" accurately and precisely will enhance your professional and formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be taken over by

Focuses on the act of assuming control, often implying a hostile or forceful acquisition.

be merged with

Emphasizes the combination of two entities into one, suggesting a more collaborative process.

be purchased by

Highlights the financial transaction involved in the acquisition.

be bought out by

Indicates that one entity has bought all the shares or ownership of another.

fall under the control of

Shifts the focus to the resulting state of control rather than the action of acquiring.

be subsumed by

Suggests a complete absorption of one entity into another, often losing its original identity.

be assimilated into

Implies a gradual process of integration into the acquiring entity.

be incorporated into

Focuses on the formal inclusion of one entity within another.

be absorbed into

Similar to subsumed but with less emphasis on the loss of identity.

be procured by

Focuses on the act of obtaining something, similar to acquisition, but can refer to non-ownership contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "be acquired by" in a sentence?

The phrase "be acquired by" indicates that a company or entity will be taken over by another. For example, "The startup is expected to "be acquired by" a larger corporation soon".

What are some alternatives to "be acquired by"?

Alternatives include "be taken over by", "be merged with", or "be purchased by", depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "acquire" or "be acquired by"?

"Acquire" is active, while "be acquired by" is passive. Use "acquire" when the acquiring entity is the subject, and "be acquired by" when the entity being acquired is the subject. For instance, "Company A will acquire Company B" versus "Company B will "be acquired by" Company A".

What's the difference between "be acquired by" and "merge with"?

"Be acquired by" typically implies a clear power dynamic where one entity takes over another. "Merge with" suggests a more equal partnership, where two entities combine to form a new entity. For example, "Company A will "be acquired by" Company B" implies Company B is dominant, while "Company A and Company B will "merge with" each other" suggests a more balanced combination.