failed to acquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "failed to acquire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain that someone was unable to gain something. For example: "The company failed to acquire the necessary permits for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

During that time, she failed to acquire a single book.

The New York Times

OS/2, however, failed to acquire a share of the mass market.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Facebook reportedly failed to acquire DeepMind in December 2012, according to Forbes.

The Guardian - Tech

The Cubans withdrew after two of their four archers failed to acquire visas.

The New York Times - Sports

When G.E. failed to acquire Honeywell International last year, its portfolio of businesses was left top-heavy with financial services.

The New York Times

"We'll see," Thomas said, when asked if he had failed to acquire the right kind of players.

The New York Times - Sports

Since last fall, when Facebook tried and failed to acquire Twitter, it has been slowly introducing features that mimic Twitter.

The New York Times - Tech

He failed to acquire either center but did obtain Lin by arranging contract terms that were difficult for the Knicks to match.

The New York Times

"The first failed to acquire a target, the second was shot down... we were just grateful that [someone] managed a bull's eye.

Independent

But on Feb. 16, 2004, after the Boston Red Sox failed to acquire Rodriguez in a trade, the Yankees swooped in.

The New York Times - Sports

(Gardner had tried, but failed, to acquire the actual toy that a protester threw at the region's chief executive in 2013).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to acquire", ensure the context clearly specifies what was not obtained and why it is significant. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to acquire" when a simpler word like 'get' or 'find' would suffice. "Acquire" implies a deliberate effort or process to obtain something, so ensure the context warrants this level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to acquire" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a larger clause. It indicates the lack of success in obtaining something, modifying the subject of the sentence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to acquire" effectively communicates a lack of success in obtaining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and widely used. Its versatility allows it to fit into many contexts, from formal business reports to news articles. When choosing this phrase, consider the level of formality needed and what you would like to emphasize in your writing. It is most appropriate when emphasizing a deliberate effort or process that did not yield the desired result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not obtain

Replaces 'failed' with a more direct negative and 'acquire' with 'obtain'.

did not succeed in getting

Expands the phrase to emphasize the lack of success in obtaining something.

was unable to secure

Focuses on the inability to make something safe or certain.

missed out on obtaining

Highlights the lost opportunity to acquire something.

fell short of gaining

Emphasizes the deficiency in reaching the goal of acquiring something.

proved incapable of attaining

Formal and emphasizes lack of capacity to acquire.

did not manage to get

Similar to 'did not obtain' but includes 'manage', indicating effort.

was unsuccessful in procuring

More formal and emphasizes the lack of success in procuring.

lost out on acquiring

Emphasizes the aspect of losing a chance to acquire.

could not come by

Informal and means 'could not obtain'.

FAQs

What does "failed to acquire" mean?

The phrase "failed to acquire" means someone or something was unable to obtain or gain possession of something, whether it be an object, skill, or piece of knowledge.

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

You can use alternatives like "did not obtain", "was unable to secure", or "did not succeed in getting" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "failed to acquire" in formal writing?

Yes, "failed to acquire" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and professionally conveys the lack of success in obtaining something. More informal options exist if the context requires it.

When is it more appropriate to use "failed to acquire" over similar phrases?

Use "failed to acquire" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort or process that did not result in obtaining something. If you only wish to state that someone did not have something, simpler phrases may be better.