first acquired about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first acquired about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a clear meaning, making it difficult to use effectively in a sentence. Example: "The knowledge was first acquired about the time of the Renaissance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Historically, information about the movements of individual birds was first acquired through ringing studies.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"When we first acquired Spiral (about to enter its third series), the success of that made us look at other Euro crime drama and led us on to Wallander – and that's led us to The Killing," said Sue Deek, the corporation's head of acquisitions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What determines the broad content of their thoughts is not merely the environment they are in at the moment, but also the environment in which they first acquired their thoughts and beliefs about watery stuff.

SEP

How are these folds first acquired?

Journal of Molecular Biology

When a client issues a write request, it first acquires the information about which UpdateServer is the Leader, and then sends the write to the Leader node.

Data Science and Engineering

Another way to think about the value of electricity is to look at how people's lives change when they first acquire electricity in their homes or communities.

University of California, Berkeley

Much is written, for example, about both of Zarin's husbands, but there is nothing about how the first lost the part or how the second acquired it.

The New York Times - Books

In the first, Paul Singer's Elliott Management has acquired about $800 million in stock of the Hess Corporation, the integrated oil company.

The New York Times

During the first steps of the research, restricted to head seas, experience has been acquired about modelling heave and pitch motions.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

I'd acquired about 300 new followers.

The Guardian

He acquired about $11 billion through illicit trading.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "first acquired about", opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "initially learned about" or "first became aware of" to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Do not combine "first acquired" directly with "about". This construction is awkward and unclear. Rephrase to use a more natural preposition or verb construction that accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first acquired about" is grammatically questionable. It attempts to describe an initial action of obtaining information but does so in a non-standard way. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is unclear and lacks a clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first acquired about" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in standard written English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it lacks clarity and does not effectively convey its intended meaning. More appropriate alternatives include phrases such as "initially learned about" or "first became aware of". These alternatives ensure grammatical correctness and clearer communication. Given its grammatical issues, using "first acquired about" is not recommended in any formal or informal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially learned about

Replaces 'acquired' with 'learned,' emphasizing the process of gaining knowledge. Uses 'initially' for clarity.

first became aware of

Focuses on the beginning of awareness or understanding. More suitable when dealing with concepts or facts.

first gained knowledge of

Emphasizes the attainment of knowledge, often through study or experience.

initially discovered

Suggests finding something new or previously unknown. Useful in contexts of research or exploration.

initially understood

Focuses on the beginning of comprehension of a topic or concept.

first found out about

A more informal alternative, suitable for casual contexts where information is received.

originally informed about

Highlights that someone was told something for the first time.

first experienced

Highlights the beginning of direct personal involvement or exposure to something.

first had exposure to

Focuses on the initial experience of being exposed to something new.

first encountered

Emphasizes the initial meeting or facing of a situation, problem, or person.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "first acquired about"?

Alternatives include "initially learned about", "first became aware of", or "first gained knowledge of". These provide clearer and more grammatically sound ways to express initial acquisition of information.

Why is "first acquired about" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "first acquired about" is not standard English because the combination of 'acquired' directly followed by 'about' creates an awkward and unclear construction. It's better to use phrases that specify what was acquired and how the knowledge was gained.

How can I use "acquire" correctly in a sentence?

Use "acquire" with a direct object, specifying what is being acquired. For example, "He first acquired knowledge about the topic" is correct, while "He first acquired about the topic" is not.

Is there a specific context where "first acquired about" might be acceptable?

No, "first acquired about" is generally not acceptable in any context due to its grammatical awkwardness. Always opt for clearer and more precise alternatives to ensure effective communication.