is being acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts involving business transactions, particularly when a company is in the process of being purchased by another entity. Example: "The startup is being acquired by a larger tech firm, which will help it expand its market reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wachovia is being acquired by Wells Fargo & Company.

The New York Times

It is being acquired from investors, 3i and Enterprise Equity.

The New York Times

(House of Blues is being acquired by Live Nation).

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile, NBC Universal is being acquired by Comcast.

The New York Times

The decision came as Berlin Cameron is being acquired by the WPP Group in London.

The New York Times

Arnold is part of Snyder Communications, which is being acquired by Havas Advertising.

The New York Times

SmithKline itself is being acquired by another British pharmaceutical giant, Glaxo Wellcome, for $76 billion.

The New York Times

Coastal, which is being acquired by the El Paso Energy Corporation, fell 94 cents, to $78.75.

The New York Times

Grey is part of the Grey Global Group, which is being acquired by WPP.

The New York Times

Mirage is being acquired by MGM Grand, which had its own plan for a Boardwalk casino.

The New York Times

John Hancock, based in Boston, is being acquired by Canada's Manulife Financial Corporation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about mergers and acquisitions, use "is being acquired" to clearly indicate a process where one entity is taking over another. This phrase emphasizes the action being performed on the subject, providing a passive perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "acquire" when "acquired" is needed. "Acquire" is an action verb (to gain possession), whereas "acquired" indicates that the action has already happened. Instead of "The company is acquire", say "The company "is being acquired" by..." to accurately reflect the passive process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being acquired" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of acquisition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples provided show it typically used in the context of business and finance to describe ongoing mergers or takeovers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is being acquired" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, predominantly in the News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive construction effectively communicates that a subject is undergoing acquisition, with emphasis on the process rather than the actor. For clarity, avoid confusing it with "acquire" and consider synonyms like "is being purchased" for less formal settings. Usage of this phrase is common and correct in professional writing. Always ensure to use "is being acquired" to highlight the ongoing process of acquisition and emphasize that the company is the recipient of the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in the process of being acquired

Adds emphasis to the fact that the action is a process.

is being purchased

Replaces "acquired" with a more common synonym, indicating a straightforward buying process.

is under acquisition by

Emphasizes the ongoing process of the acquisition.

is being bought out

Emphasizes the purchase of controlling interest in a company.

is subject to acquisition by

Highlights the subjection of a entity to a particular process.

is being taken over

Suggests a more forceful or strategic acquisition.

is slated for acquisition by

Emphasizes the planned or scheduled nature of the acquisition.

is merging with

Indicates a combination of two entities into one, which is a related but distinct concept from acquisition.

is being consolidated into

Highlights the integration aspect following an acquisition.

is being absorbed by

Focuses on the assimilation of one entity into another.

FAQs

What does it mean when a company "is being acquired"?

When a company "is being acquired", it means another company is in the process of purchasing it. The selling company will become a subsidiary of, or be merged into, the acquiring company.

What's the difference between "is being acquired" and "was acquired"?

"Is being acquired" describes an ongoing process. "Was acquired" indicates the process is complete. For example, "The company "is being acquired" by a larger firm" means the deal is still in progress, while "The company was acquired last year" means the deal has already closed.

Can I use "is getting acquired" instead of "is being acquired"?

Yes, "is getting acquired" is an alternative to "is being acquired". While both are grammatically correct, "is being acquired" is more formal. "Is getting acquired" is mostly used in less formal contexts.

What are some synonyms for the phrase "is being acquired"?

Alternatives include "is being purchased", "is being bought out", or "is being taken over". The best choice depends on the specific context. "is being purchased" and "is being bought out" are usually talking about a buying process where "is being taken over" implies a more forceful buying.