have obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

"have obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you have gotten something or achieved a certain result. For example: "I have obtained all the necessary permits to begin the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We have obtained some equipment.

The New York Times

I have obtained a garment.

The Guardian - Film

I have obtained the letter.

The Washington Post

We have obtained the freedom and liberty.

The Guardian

We have obtained:.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

The residents' appeals have obtained some results.

The New York Times

Only students who have obtained the M.Phil.

Columbia University

Investigators have obtained the teenagers' cellphone records and interviewed them.

The New York Times

Several of the Wongs' friends have obtained excellent jobs.

The New Yorker

The Times should have obtained comment from the two companies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They carry semiautomatic weapons they have obtained easily and, in most cases, legally.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have obtained" to denote the successful acquisition of something tangible or intangible, such as a degree, information, or permission. Ensure the context clearly indicates what was acquired and how it was obtained.

Common error

Avoid using "have obtained" when the action of obtaining is ongoing or continuous. "Are obtaining" or "are in the process of obtaining" may be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have obtained" functions as a perfect tense verb phrase. It signifies a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present, indicating the result or state of having acquired something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have obtained" is a versatile and common verb phrase used to indicate the successful acquisition of something in the past, with relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is appropriate and consider alternative phrases like "have acquired" or "have received" for nuanced meanings. Pay attention to avoiding tense errors for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have acquired

Replaces "obtained" with a synonym that also signifies gaining possession or achieving something.

have received

Indicates the act of getting something, often implying it was given or sent.

have secured

Suggests the act of gaining something through effort or ensuring its possession.

have gained

Implies a gradual process of acquiring or achieving something.

have earned

Indicates that something was acquired through effort or work.

have attained

Suggests reaching a certain level or achieving a goal.

have procured

Implies obtaining something, often with some difficulty or effort.

have come by

An informal way to express obtaining something, often unexpectedly.

have landed

Suggests acquiring something desirable, often a job or opportunity.

have taken possession of

A more formal way to express acquiring physical control or ownership.

FAQs

How can I use "have obtained" in a sentence?

The phrase "have obtained" is used to indicate that someone has successfully acquired or gotten something. For example, "We "have obtained" all the necessary permits for the project" or "She "has obtained" a master's degree in engineering".

What are some alternatives to "have obtained"?

Some alternatives include "have acquired", "have received", "have gained", or "have secured". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had obtained" instead of "have obtained"?

The choice between "have obtained" and "had obtained" depends on the timeline. "Have obtained" indicates a past action with present relevance, while "had obtained" refers to an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "I "have obtained" my degree, so I am qualified for the job" vs. "By the time I applied, I "had obtained" the necessary experience".

What is the difference between "obtain" and "achieve"?

"Obtain" generally means to get or acquire something, often something physical or tangible. "Achieve", on the other hand, typically refers to accomplishing something through effort or skill. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "achieve" carries a stronger connotation of effort and accomplishment. For example, you might "obtain" a permit, but you "achieve" a goal.