become acquired by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become acquired by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, as "acquired" already implies a process of obtaining or gaining possession, making "become acquired by" redundant. Example: "The company was acquired by a larger firm last year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Additionally, young startups in these verticals have easy access to capital, while mature companies in these spaces are more likely to go public or become acquired by companies like Facebook, Microsoft and Starbreeze".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Most welcomed the more modern, speedier app at the time, but realistically, warm feelings toward Flickr may have to more with our own sympathies to how maligned and abandoned the promising service had became once acquired by Yahoo years ago.

TechCrunch

But the internet boom highlighted the vibrancy of the American way of innovating, in which a host of entrepreneurial start-ups try out risky new ideas and the most successful of them either become, or are acquired by, larger firms.

The Economist

He next worked for the company that became TRW Inc. (acquired by Northrop Grumman in 2002) on missile guidance systems.

The New York Times

Avdel Adhesives became Permabond when acquired by Unilever and subsequently, Bondmaster following a transfer to ICI.

Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants

I first met Gentry a month after he started Orchestra which became Mailbox, recently acquired by Dropbox.

TechCrunch

For the majority of his career Allan has been involved in distribution businesses, heading up the freight company Ocean Group, which merged with its rival NFC to become Exel, which was acquired by Deutsche Post in 2005.

The Guardian - Business

She and her co-founder went on to start the online wedding registry startup that became WeddingChannel.com (which was acquired by The Knot).

TechCrunch

According to Tully, Locke realized that as soon as land became scarce, previous rights acquired by labor no longer held since "enough and as good" was no longer available for others.

SEP

@MicheLast year

Vice

The plans call for Hook to be acquired by and become part of Media Contacts in New York, the interactive agency of Media Planning, part of the Media Planning Group unit of Havas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the more common and grammatically sound phrase "be acquired by" instead of "become acquired by". This ensures clarity and avoids awkward phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "become acquired by" because "acquired" already implies a process of becoming owned by another entity. Using "become" in this context is redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become acquired by" functions as a passive construction describing a change in ownership or control of a company or entity. It's intended to convey the action of being taken over by another entity. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is not the most grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become acquired by" is grammatically questionable and redundant, as indicated by Ludwig AI. While it appears in some sources, it is not the preferred way to express the concept of one entity being taken over by another. More appropriate alternatives include "be acquired by", "be taken over by", or "merge with", depending on the specific context. Its usage is rare, and while it can be found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be acquired by

This alternative uses a more direct passive voice construction.

get acquired by

This is a more informal way to say "be acquired by".

be taken over by

Focuses on the change of control, implying a complete shift in management.

merge with

Implies a more equal combination of two entities.

be absorbed by

Suggests that the entity losing its identity.

become a subsidiary of

Highlights the establishment of a parent-subsidiary relationship.

come under the control of

Emphasizes the shift in authority and direction.

fall under the ownership of

Focuses on the change in ownership.

be bought out by

Indicates a financial transaction where one entity purchases another.

be incorporated into

Implies a more thorough integration into another entity.

FAQs

Is the phrase "become acquired by" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "become acquired by" is grammatically awkward and redundant. The word "acquired" already implies a process of becoming owned by another entity.

What is a better alternative to "become acquired by"?

A better alternative is "be acquired by", which is a more standard and grammatically correct way to express the same meaning.

How does "be acquired by" differ from "merge with"?

Be acquired by suggests one company takes over another, while "merge with" implies a more equal combination of two companies.

When should I use "be taken over by" instead of "become acquired by"?

Use "be taken over by" when you want to emphasize the change of control and management rather than just the change in ownership.