being acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to business, mergers, or acquisitions, typically to describe a company or asset that is in the process of being purchased by another entity. Example: "The startup is currently being acquired by a larger tech company, which will help it expand its market reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Why couldn't you grow without being acquired?

The New York Times

Wachovia is being acquired by Wells Fargo & Company.

The New York Times

Napster's very existence could depend on the company being acquired.

The New York Times

Dellucci is 3 for 8 since being acquired.

The New York Times - Sports

Again, something was being acquired and passed on.

The Guardian

The amazing thing is watching language being acquired.

The Guardian - Books

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

Meanwhile, NBC Universal is being acquired by Comcast.

The New York Times

At the time, however, NBC was being acquired by Comcast.

The New York Times - Magazine

WHERE did Tebow play before being acquired by the Jets?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about business or corporate events, use "being acquired" to clearly indicate that the process is ongoing. This avoids ambiguity compared to simply stating a company "was acquired".

Common error

Avoid using "being acquired" when the acquisition is already completed. Use "was acquired" instead to indicate a finished transaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being acquired" functions as a present continuous passive construction, indicating that a subject (typically a company or asset) is currently undergoing the process of acquisition by another entity. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being acquired" functions as a present continuous passive construction that describes an ongoing acquisition process. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in news and business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the acquisition is currently in progress and to avoid confusing it with the past tense form "was acquired", which indicates a completed transaction. Alternatives such as "undergoing acquisition" or "in the process of being bought" can be used to add variety to your writing. Finally, you can avoid mistakes with "being acquired" if you follow the guidance provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergoing acquisition

Focuses on the process rather than the state.

in the process of being bought

Emphasizes the action of purchasing.

subject to acquisition

Highlights the vulnerability or likelihood of acquisition.

facing acquisition

Emphasizes the potential challenge or situation of being acquired.

slated for acquisition

Indicates a planned or scheduled acquisition.

set to be acquired

Similar to slated for acquisition but with less formal connotation.

on the verge of being acquired

Implies an imminent acquisition.

being taken over

Highlights the change in control resulting from the acquisition.

changing ownership

Focuses on the act of transferring ownership.

in the process of being obtained

More general than acquisition, applying to various contexts beyond business.

FAQs

How is "being acquired" used in a sentence?

"Being acquired" indicates an ongoing process. For example, "The company is "being acquired" by a larger firm, pending regulatory approval."

What are some alternatives to "being acquired"?

You can use phrases like "undergoing acquisition", "in the process of being bought", or "subject to acquisition" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "being acquired by" or "being acquired from"?

It is correct to say "being acquired by", as it indicates the entity doing the acquiring. "Being acquired from" would imply the opposite, which is usually not the intended meaning. For example, "The company is "being acquired by" a competitor" is correct.

What's the difference between "being acquired" and "having been acquired"?

"Being acquired" indicates the action is currently in progress, while "having been acquired" suggests the acquisition has already been completed. For example, "The firm is "being acquired", with the deal expected to close next quarter," versus "The firm, "having been acquired" last year, is now fully integrated."