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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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is obtained

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"is obtained" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been acquired, attained, gathered, or obtained in any way. For example, "The evidence he needed to prove his innocence is obtained."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of the information is obtained legally.

News & Media

The New York Times

Crop insurance is obtained through private insurers.

News & Media

The New York Times

Silica is obtained from clean sand.

The first is "obtained through illicit means".

News & Media

The Economist

That advantage is obtained every year and ongoing".

Its information is obtained from material on the record.

News & Media

The New Yorker

First names not abbreviated unless permission is obtained.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Process by which license is obtained is described.

News & Media

The New Yorker

That is, even if approval is obtained through felony fraud.

News & Media

The New York Times

Explained how the impression of depth is obtained.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Knowledge is obtained through demonstration.

Science

SEP
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is obtained", consider the context to ensure the most accurate synonym is used. For example, if something is the result of an experiment, "is yielded" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "is obtained" in active voice constructions where it sounds awkward. Instead, rephrase the sentence to use an active verb that directly shows who or what is doing the obtaining.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is obtained" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject receives or acquires something, rather than actively taking it. Ludwig shows this in many examples, emphasizing that the subject is the recipient of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is obtained" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to describe the acquisition of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from science and news to formal business settings. When writing, remember that "is obtained" emphasizes the object being acquired and is best suited for passive voice constructions. While useful and frequent, be mindful of overuse in active voice, and consider synonyms like "is acquired" or "is attained" to ensure the most precise meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "is obtained" in a sentence?

The phrase "is obtained" is used in passive voice to indicate that something is acquired or received. For example, "The data "is obtained" from the experiment", meaning the experiment is the source of the data.

What are some alternatives to "is obtained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "is acquired", "is attained", or "is received".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "obtain"?

It depends on the context. Active voice is more direct, while passive voice ("") emphasizes the object being acted upon. Passive voice is often preferred in scientific writing.

What's the difference between "is obtained" and "is acquired"?

"Is acquired" often implies a more gradual or complex process of gaining possession, while "is obtained" is a more general term for getting something.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: