he acquired this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he acquired this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone obtaining or gaining possession of something, whether it be knowledge, skills, or physical items. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, he acquired this rare artifact during his travels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He ultimately returned the stock he acquired this way, canceling the loans.

The New York Times

(How he acquired this fascination with waterworks is, Hume explains, just one of his subject's many mysteries).

The New York Times - Books

His book of how he acquired this animal park – We Bought a Zoo – has been turned into a film starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.

The Guardian

And when Ditie asks him how he acquired this knowledge, "he answered, pulling himself up to his full height, Because I served the King of England.

The Guardian - Books

He acquired this new fame in no small measure because newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, impressed with the young evangelist's preaching and anticommunist rhetoric, instructed his papers to "puff Graham".

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the same time as he acquired this citizenship, he began working as a municipal politician in Ukraine while continuing his business interests.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Until he acquires this conviction, which is something that comes only with establishing a comfortable relationship with pressure, he is unlikely to set British tennis fans free from their long wait.

The Guardian - Sport

He acquires this sobriquet -- the initials are F. H. -- because of his almost miraculous propensity to screw things up, to bring bad luck on himself and those around him.

The New York Times

Given the reputation for tactical zigzags he acquired this summer, it prompted ribald comment ("which football team do you support now, Andy?" etc) in the press room.

The Guardian

Around this time he acquired the nickname "Boy".

Wikipedia

HQ: Made a substantial contribution to the concept and design of this study, he acquired the data, was involved in interpretation of the data, critically revised the manuscript and gave final approval for it to be published.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he acquired this" to clearly indicate that someone has gained possession of something, whether it's a physical object, a skill, or knowledge. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to use "he acquired this" when the subject didn't actively gain something. Ensure the subject was the active agent in obtaining whatever is being referenced to keep your writing clear and accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he acquired this" functions as a statement indicating that an individual has come into possession of something, whether tangible or intangible. It is a transitive construction where 'acquired' takes 'this' as its object, denoting the thing obtained. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he acquired this" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to express that someone has obtained something. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and suitable for various contexts, with a neutral formality. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Encyclopedias. Alternatives include "he obtained this" and "he gained this". When using the phrase, ensure that the subject actively gained the object to maintain clarity. This comprehensive analysis provides a clear understanding of how to effectively use "he acquired this" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he obtained this

Replaces "acquired" with "obtained", maintaining the same meaning of gaining possession.

he gained this

Substitutes "acquired" with "gained", emphasizing the effort or process involved in obtaining something.

he secured this

Implies that there was some effort involved in getting this

he procured this

More formal way of saying he acquired this implying effort to acquire something

he came into possession of this

More formal way of saying he acquired something

he took ownership of this

Alternative that explicitly highlights the act of becoming an owner.

he earned this

Implies that he acquired this by deserving it because of some effort

this was obtained by him

Passive voice transformation, focusing on the object acquired rather than the acquirer.

he inherited this

Implies he did not put any effort to acquire this

he picked this up

Less formal alternative implying discovery or casual acquisition.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "he acquired this"?

You can use alternatives like "he obtained this", "he gained this", or "he came into possession of this" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "he acquired this" formal or informal?

"He acquired this" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal options like "he obtained this" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

How can I use "he acquired this" in a sentence?

You can use "he acquired this" to indicate that someone has gained something, such as "He acquired this knowledge through years of study" or "he acquired this skill during his apprenticeship".

What's the difference between "he acquired this" and "he inherited this"?

"He acquired this" implies that the person actively gained something, while "he inherited this" suggests that they received it passively, typically through a will or family lineage.