has been acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been acquired' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has come into possession of something. For example, "The company has acquired the rights to the new video game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It has been acquired by Universal.

The New York Times

Each of the networks has been acquired in recent years.

The New York Times

Confiscate property that has been acquired through proceeds of poaching.

The Guardian

A copy of Abney's book with outstanding woodburytypes has been acquired by Princeton University.

Princeton University

'5) A domicile cannot be lost until a new one has been acquired.

Cornell University

how will catalogers know that a remote access electronic serial has been acquired?

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

has been acquiring & asserting authority.

The New Yorker

Lately, he has been acquiring amulets meant to protect babies.

The New York Times - Arts

Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp has been acquiring banks and opening branches.

Forbes

To do this, Hurray! has been acquiring recording studios.

Forbes

The Victoria and Albert Museum's "rapid response collecting" program has been acquiring contemporary objects since 2014.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing acquisitions, provide context. Mentioning the date, value, or strategic reasons behind the acquisition adds valuable information for the reader.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the acquiring party. Instead of "The company has been acquired", clarify with "The company has been acquired by a larger corporation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been acquired" functions as a past passive construction, indicating that a subject has undergone the action of being acquired by someone or something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been acquired" is a versatile phrase used to denote a shift in ownership or control. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of specifying the acquiring party to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was obtained" or "was purchased" can offer nuanced variations, but understanding the context is key to effective communication. Because this is a passive construction, avoid uncertainty by specifying the entity doing the acquiring. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately employ "has been acquired" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was obtained

Focuses on the action of obtaining something, regardless of the method.

was purchased

Specifically refers to acquiring something through a financial transaction.

was attained

Highlights the achievement of acquiring something, often implying effort.

came into possession

Emphasizes the shift in ownership or control.

was secured

Suggests that effort was required to acquire something.

was taken over

Implies control or management changed hands.

was appropriated

Suggests a more formal or official acquisition, sometimes in a legal context.

was procured

Emphasizes the process of obtaining something, often through special means.

was inherited

Specifically refers to acquisition through inheritance.

was assumed

Highlights taking on something, such as a role, responsibility or position

FAQs

How can I use "has been acquired" in a sentence?

Use "has been acquired" to indicate that something has changed ownership, like in "The startup "has been acquired" by a tech giant".

What are some alternatives to "has been acquired"?

You can use phrases like "was obtained", "was purchased", or "came into possession" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Check /s/was+obtained, /s/was+purchased or /s/came+into+possession

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing an acquisition?

Active voice (e.g., "Company X acquired Company Y") is often more direct and clear. However, passive voice ("Company Y "has been acquired" by Company X") can be useful when you want to emphasize the entity being acquired.

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

"Has been acquired" indicates a completed action, meaning the acquisition is finished. "Is being acquired" indicates an ongoing process, meaning the acquisition is still in progress.