i obtained it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I obtained it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe having acquired something, either through purchase, finding, or some other means. For example: "I obtained the book from the library last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I obtained it from a friend through his detail assignment in the inmate kitchen.

The New Yorker

I obtained it from a friend through his detail assignment in the inmate kitchen.

The New Yorker

And, even when I received the e-mail a few weeks later that I obtained it, I was still as cool as a cucumber, but freaking out on the inside.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

TOMBS OF PARIS Question:Is there a book describing the cemeteries where famous people are buried in Paris, and where can I obtain it?

The New York Times - Travel

In the algorithm, once the set K p i is obtained, it is excluded from the remaining active subcarriers K r ∖ K p i.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

When I obtained the compound, it was already patented.

The New York Times - Science

I obtained none of it and just gave up," said one MP from the Latin America and Caribbean region.

The Guardian

As a child, I did not know the exact meaning of "tenure," but when my father obtained it I sensed what it meant to him.

The New Yorker

I hoped that Foos's manuscript, if I obtained permission to read it, would serve as a kind of sequel to "My Secret Life".

The New Yorker

With encouragement from various art dealers and historians, I decided to dig deeper into the story — especially into Murdock's art collection and how he obtained it, since I knew he never had much money.

The New Yorker

If you're interested please let me know and I can obtain it.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i obtained it" when you want to express a formal or deliberate acquisition of something. The phrase is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "i obtained it" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "i got it" or "i received it" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i obtained it" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that the speaker came into possession of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It clearly communicates that something was acquired or received by the speaker.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i obtained it" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating the acquisition of something, confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it's more formal than alternatives like "i got it", it's suitable for various contexts, including news, academic writing and science. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science according to the examples analyzed. When choosing whether to use this phrase, consider the desired tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall communication style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i acquired it

Replaces "obtained" with the synonym "acquired", indicating a formal tone change.

i received it

Emphasizes the act of receiving, whether as a gift or through some process.

i got it

Uses the more informal "got" instead of "obtained", making it sound casual.

i came into possession of it

A formal way of saying "I obtained it" placing emphasis on the possession itself.

i secured it

Highlights the effort or competition involved in getting something.

it was given to me

Shifts the focus to the giver rather than the receiver.

i managed to get it

Implies that there was some difficulty in acquiring it.

i laid my hands on it

Suggests that getting that thing was a difficult task, or something was kept hidden.

i picked it up

Commonly used to denote obtaining an item or skill informally.

it became mine

Indicates ownership more than acquisition.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "i obtained it" that sound less formal?

You can use alternatives like "i got it", "i received it", or "i picked it up" depending on the context.

How does "i obtained it" differ from "i acquired it"?

"I obtained it" and "I acquired it" are very similar, but "obtained" can sometimes imply a more passive process of receiving, whereas "acquired" often suggests more active effort. In many cases, they are interchangeable.

Is it correct to use "i obtained it" in a formal essay?

Yes, "I obtained it" is perfectly appropriate for a formal essay or academic paper. It conveys a sense of deliberate acquisition.

Can "i obtained it" refer to abstract things like knowledge or skills?

Yes, "I obtained it" can be used for both tangible objects and intangible things such as knowledge, skills, or permission. For example, "I obtained permission to use the data".