he obtained this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he obtained this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone acquiring or receiving something, whether it be a physical item, information, or a skill. Example: "After months of research, he obtained this crucial data that would help in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He obtained this great wealth because children value his humor and storytelling abilities.

The New York Times

where G λ s ; t = ∑ x = 0 ∞ P λ x, t s x. (He obtained this equation by multiplying the i-th equation of the system by si − 1, i = 1, 2, … and summing the resulting equations).

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After this he obtained the proconsulship of Africa and, again on his return, was sent as legate successively to Dalmatia and Pannonia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When Harb asked him how he had obtained this information, he was evasive, saying that he had used "I.T. techniques".

The New Yorker

However, if the staff member uses public transportation, the travel time between the staff member's home and the point where he or she obtains this transportation (i.e. bus station, airport, etc). is not considered hours worked.

Duke University

He obtained the same results each time.

The New York Times - Science

He obtained the following result.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

He obtained the following theorem.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The paper bore the watermark of T. Edmonds, a stationer of the mid-nineteenth century, and when Bergquist casually asked where he had obtained this important ingredient of the forgeries, Cosey looked embarrassed and changed the subject.

The New Yorker

He received the Nobel Prize for his interpretation of the data he obtained from this device.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, the relationship of EELVMBW,He obtained by this approach was not related to that obtained by using a reference method in patients with acute lung injury based on CT imaging [ 7], and the validity of this variable has not been evaluated.

BMC Anesthesiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a synonym like "acquired" or "received" if you want to add nuance to the meaning. "Acquired" suggests more effort, while "received" implies being given something.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily changing the active voice of "he obtained this" to passive constructions like "this was obtained by him" unless the emphasis truly needs to be on the object rather than the actor. Overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound convoluted and less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he obtained this" functions as a declarative statement asserting that a male subject has come into possession of something. Ludwig shows examples where this phrase is used to convey the acquisition of data, degrees, or positions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he obtained this" is a grammatically correct and generally neutral way to indicate that a male subject has acquired something. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is used across various contexts, from news articles and scientific publications to encyclopedias. While "he obtained this" is acceptable, consider synonyms like "he acquired this" or "he received this" to add nuance. Overusing passive voice (e.g., "this was obtained by him") should be avoided unless specifically needed. The overall expert rating is high, reflecting its correctness and consistent use in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he acquired this

Replaces "obtained" with "acquired", indicating a similar process of gaining possession but potentially with a sense of effort or intention.

he received this

Substitutes "obtained" with "received", focusing on the act of being given something.

he gained possession of this

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the act of taking control or ownership.

he came into possession of this

Similar to "gained possession", but with a slightly more formal tone.

he secured this

Replaces "obtained" with "secured", suggesting that effort was involved in getting something.

he managed to get this

Indicates that there may have been some difficulty or effort involved in obtaining something.

this was obtained by him

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice, altering the emphasis.

he got hold of this

Uses the idiom "got hold of", which can imply resourcefulness or even a bit of luck.

he procured this

Substitutes "obtained" with "procured", which often implies careful or deliberate acquisition.

he took receipt of this

Indicates a formal acceptance or acknowledgement of something received.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he obtained this"?

You can use alternatives like "he acquired this", "he received this", or "he gained possession of this" depending on the context.

Is "he obtained this" formal or informal?

The phrase "he obtained this" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the formality can be slightly adjusted by choosing synonyms for "obtained", such as the more formal "procured".

How to use "he obtained this" in a sentence?

Use "he obtained this" to indicate that someone has come into possession of something. For example, "After several attempts, he obtained this rare artifact from the auction."

What's the difference between "he obtained this" and "he achieved this"?

"He obtained this" generally refers to acquiring something tangible or intangible, while "he achieved this" refers to accomplishing something through effort or skill. For example, "He obtained this data through research" versus "He achieved this goal through hard work".