he has acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

"he has acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a person gaining something, either tangible or intangible. For example: "He has acquired extensive knowledge of the subject over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He has acquired dictionaries for obscure languages.

The New York Times - Arts

He has acquired a reputation as a nationalist.

The Economist

He has acquired every player on the roster.

The New York Times - Sports

(Neil waves away the expertise he has acquired over the years: "I'm good at faking it").

The New Yorker

At such times, he can seem innocent of the considerable influence that he has acquired.

The New Yorker

A physically huge man, he has acquired the stature of an anti-establishment hero.

The Economist

Almost ten years after he assumed the Presidency, however, he has acquired some serious political liabilities.

The New Yorker

A conductor deserves his title, Barenboim went on, only when he has acquired the players' trust.

The New Yorker

And he has acquired an American vocabulary to frame his Cuban past.

The New York Times

He has acquired the habit of the prison underdog: avoid eye contact.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over his career he has acquired businesses ranging from pub companies to railway rolling stock leasing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he has acquired" to denote the act of gaining possession of something tangible (like property) or intangible (like knowledge or skills) after some effort or process.

Common error

While both terms relate to gaining knowledge, "acquired" suggests a broader or more passive reception of information, whereas "learned" implies a deliberate effort to gain knowledge through study or experience. Avoid using "acquired" when the context clearly involves active learning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has acquired" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a male person has come into possession of something. This could be a tangible object, a skill, a quality, or knowledge. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes the act of gaining something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he has acquired" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that someone has gained possession of something, be it tangible or intangible. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts. While alternatives like "he has obtained" or "he has gained" exist, the specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. It's crucial to differentiate "he has acquired" from "he has learned", emphasizing the active effort in the latter. With a neutral to formal register, "he has acquired" is frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, cementing its status as a common and widely accepted phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has obtained

Replaces "acquired" with a direct synonym, focusing on the act of gaining possession.

he has gained

Similar to "obtained", but emphasizes the effort or process involved in getting something.

he has secured

Implies that the acquisition was achieved through effort, competition or planning.

he has earned

Implies the acquisition was a result of effort, hard work, or merit.

he has come by

Suggests a less formal or perhaps more casual way of obtaining something.

he has picked up

Often used for skills or knowledge gained informally or incidentally.

he has collected

Suggests gathering multiple items, usually of a similar type or with a common theme.

he has cultivated

Implies nurturing and developing something over time, such as a skill or relationship.

he has inherited

Specifically refers to receiving something from a predecessor, often after their death.

he has developed

Refers to the growth or improvement of a skill or quality over time.

FAQs

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

Use "he has acquired" to describe the act of gaining something, whether tangible (e.g., "He has acquired a new house") or intangible (e.g., "He has acquired a taste for fine wine").

What are some alternatives to "he has acquired"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he has obtained", "he has gained", or "he has secured".

Is there a difference between "he has acquired" and "he has learned"?

"He has acquired" generally implies gaining something passively or over time, whereas "he has learned" suggests active effort and study to gain knowledge or a skill.

Can "he has acquired" refer to both physical objects and skills?

Yes, "he has acquired" can refer to both physical objects (e.g., "He has acquired a collection of rare books") and skills or qualities (e.g., "He has acquired excellent communication skills").