he was acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as business or sports, where an individual or entity is obtained or purchased by another party. Example: "After a successful negotiation, he was acquired by the leading tech company to enhance their development team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was acquired from the Pacers in July.

The New York Times - Sports

He was acquired last June from the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The New York Times - Sports

Jason Arnott has had bad luck with injuries since he was acquired from Edmonton in January.

The New York Times - Sports

The homer was Thome's first since he was acquired from Philadelphia on July 1.

The New York Times - Sports

Turiaf brought his efforts to New York when he was acquired in an off-season trade.

The New York Times - Sports

Later that season, he was acquired by the major league Boston Red Sox.

The New York Times

He was acquired in a trade from the Seattle Mariners; he is not a "homegrown player".

The New York Times

He was acquired from Tampa Bay for Zdeno Ciger in December.

The New York Times - Sports

He was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 20, 1999, for future considerations.

The New York Times - Sports

He was acquired on Jan . 3from the Los Angeles Kings for a conditional draft pick.

The New York Times - Sports

He was acquired from Texas on July 19 for two minor leaguers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was acquired" when referring to a formal process of gaining possession or control of someone's services or talents, typically in a business, sports, or organizational context. Ensure the subject is clearly defined, and the context implies a deliberate acquisition.

Common error

Avoid using "he was acquired" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler terms like "hired" or "recruited" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural or even humorous in inappropriate settings.

Linguistic Context

"He was acquired" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (he) was the recipient of the action of being obtained or taken over. This phrase is commonly used to describe a transaction or transfer in business, sports, or organizational contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was acquired" is a grammatically correct passive voice construction predominantly used in news and media, wiki and encyclopedias contexts to denote that an individual has been obtained or taken over by another entity, often in business or sports. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to describe transactions or transfers. While generally neutral to formal, its use should be tailored to the audience; simpler terms like "hired" or "recruited" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Related phrases include "he was recruited" and "he was signed", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was obtained

Direct synonym, replacing "acquired" with "obtained" for a slightly different tone.

he was signed

Commonly used in sports contexts, specifically referring to the act of signing a contract.

he was recruited

Focuses on the active process of someone being selected and brought into a team or organization.

he was drafted

Specifically used in sports, referring to the draft process where players are selected.

he was brought on board

Emphasizes integration into a team or organization.

he was taken on

Focuses on the act of hiring or accepting someone into a role.

he was selected

Emphasizes the choice made to bring someone in, often implying a competitive process.

he was picked up

Informal way of saying someone was acquired, often used in sports.

he was hired

More general term for being employed by a company or organization.

he joined the team

Focuses on the act of becoming a member of a group.

FAQs

What does "he was acquired" mean?

The phrase "he was acquired" typically means that someone has been obtained or taken over by another entity, such as a company or sports team. It often implies a formal process of gaining possession or control.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "he was acquired"?

It's appropriate to use "he was acquired" in contexts such as business, sports, or organizational settings where a formal process of obtaining someone's services or talents is involved. It's often used in news reports or official announcements.

What are some alternatives to "he was acquired"?

Alternatives to "he was acquired" include "he was recruited", "he was signed", or "he was obtained", depending on the context.

Is "he was acquired" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he was acquired" is grammatically correct. It is a passive voice construction indicating that someone was the recipient of the action of being acquired.