he was obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was obtained" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "obtained" implies acquiring something rather than a person. Example: "The data was obtained from the research study, but he was not obtained in the same manner."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He was obtained on June 28 from the St . LouisCardinals for future considerations.

The New York Times - Sports

But, as has been the case ever since he was obtained by the Rangers, Lindros has chosen not to respond.

The New York Times - Sports

Center since he was obtained from Washington for Anson Carter and significant financial considerations on Jan . 23

The New York Times - Sports

He was obtained for his expiring contract first and his talent second, and he is comfortable with that.

The New York Times - Sports

Even so, the Rangers have lost six of their nine games with Jagr in the lineup since he was obtained from the Washington Capitals on Jan . 23

The New York Times - Sports

His son Ken Jr. has been Cincinnati's starting center fielder since he was obtained from Seattle in a February 2000 trade.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

3,3′-Dihexyl-oxabarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6), 10 N-nonylacridine orange (NAO), Calcium Green-5N, and hydroethidine (HE) were obtained from Molecular Probes (Eugene, OR).

Environmental Health Perspectives

He announced at the time that he was obtaining treatment for alcoholism.

Independent

Mr. Kuo duped Mr. Bergersen into believing that he was obtaining information for the government of Taiwan, an ally of the United States.

The New York Times

He began his career as a junior copywriter at Columbia University Press in 1987 while he was obtaining a master's degree in poetry.

Cornell University

Ric-cio consented, but while he was obtaining pardon for the so-called rebels they killed the priest left with them, when the massacre began in earnest.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "he was obtained" when referring to people. Opt for more appropriate and respectful language such as "he was acquired" or "he was recruited."

Common error

Using "obtained" for people can sound dehumanizing. Reserve it for objects or information; choose alternatives like "hired", "recruited", or "selected" when referring to a person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was obtained" functions as a passive construction, where the subject 'he' is the recipient of the action. While grammatically structured as a passive voice sentence, the choice of 'obtained' is typically inappropriate when referring to a person, as Ludwig AI points out.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was obtained" presents a case where grammatical correctness clashes with appropriate usage. As Ludwig AI highlights, while the structure is valid, using "obtained" to refer to a person is often perceived as dehumanizing. More suitable alternatives such as "acquired", "recruited", or "selected" should be used depending on the specific context. The phrase appears in News & Media and Science contexts. Therefore, mindful language choices are essential to avoid unintended negative connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was acquired

Emphasizes the process of gaining possession or control of someone, often in a business or organizational context.

he was recruited

Highlights the active effort to attract and enlist someone, typically for a job or team.

he was selected

Focuses on the choice made from a group of candidates, emphasizing merit or suitability.

he was chosen

Similar to selected, but can imply a more personal or deliberate decision.

he was appointed

Indicates a formal assignment to a position or role, often by an authority.

he was hired

Directly states that someone was employed for a job.

he was taken on

Informal way of saying someone was employed or accepted into a group.

he was brought in

Suggests that someone was introduced or incorporated into a situation or organization.

he was admitted

Implies acceptance into an institution or group, such as a school or hospital.

he was received

Focuses on the act of being welcomed or accepted upon arrival.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was obtained" when referring to a person?

While technically grammatically structured correctly, using "obtained" to refer to a person is generally considered incorrect and dehumanizing. It's best to use alternatives like "he was acquired" or "he was recruited".

What are some better alternatives to "he was obtained"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "he was recruited", "he was hired", "he was selected", or "he was chosen".

When is it appropriate to use the word "obtained"?

The word "obtained" is appropriate when referring to objects, information, or results. For example, "The data was obtained from the study" or "The necessary permits were obtained".

What is the connotation of using "he was obtained"?

Using "he was obtained" can imply that the person was treated as an object or a resource to be acquired. This can be seen as disrespectful and impersonal, so it should generally be avoided in favor of more humanistic language.