it could be acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could be acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the possibility of obtaining something, whether it's knowledge, skills, or physical items. Example: "With dedication and practice, it could be acquired over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Since the election, Sprint shares have risen 40percentt, partly on hopes that it could be acquired by its rival T-Mobile.

The New York Times

Since the election, Sprint shares have risen nearly 40percentt, partly on hopes that it could be acquired by its rival T-Mobile.

The New York Times

The city, he said, would most likely lease the field to an operating agency, if it could be acquired.

The New York Times

But insofar as Latin was required for other studies, such as law or history, it could be acquired at the university itself.

Britannica

The group issued a profit warning for last year, and speculation emerged that it could be acquired by the Spanish clothing giant Inditex, which owns the Zara brand.

The New York Times

Given that The Post still has potency as a political symbol, the fact that it could be acquired by a man who made his fortune taking apart book-publishing — another traditional business — served as more evidence that the power center in the media world has turned away from the East Coast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The title of the crown, whatever it might be, could be acquired only by a conveyance from the crown.

University of Chicago

We think that it is possible that Ocado could be acquired, but the price would need to be well below its current valuation.

The Guardian - Business

It is possible that GM could be acquired by a profitable business down the road.

Forbes

At that price, it's possible that Palm could be acquired.

Forbes

In it, Walker argued that Texas could be acquired by Congress in a number of ways – all constitutional – and that the moral authority to do so was based on the precepts for territorial expansion established by Jefferson and Madison, and promulgated as doctrine by James Monroe in 1823.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it could be acquired", ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "the company could be acquired" rather than just "it could be acquired".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "it could be acquired". Active voice often creates more direct and engaging sentences. Instead of "the company could be acquired", consider "another company could acquire the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be acquired" typically functions as a passive construction indicating possibility. As Ludwig AI states, it expresses a potential action that might happen to a subject, focusing on the recipient of the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could be acquired" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies a possibility of something being obtained or taken over. It's most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register and its meaning can be conveyed through alternatives like "it might be obtained" or "it can be gained". When using this phrase, clarity and context are crucial to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might be obtained

Changes 'could' to 'might', altering the degree of possibility.

it may be procured

Replaces 'acquired' with 'procured', implying a more formal or deliberate process of obtaining something.

it is possible to obtain it

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the possibility of obtaining something.

it is attainable

Uses the adjective 'attainable' to describe the characteristic of being able to be acquired

it can be gained

Substitutes 'acquired' with 'gained', suggesting an effort or process involved in obtaining it.

it is liable to be taken over

Focuses on the possibility of being taken over, often in a business context.

there is a chance of it being obtained

Emphasizes the chance or probability of acquisition.

it stands a chance of acquisition

Rephrases to highlight the likelihood of acquisition, often in a corporate context.

it has the potential to be procured

Focuses on the inherent potential for something to be acquired.

it is within reach

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something is capable of being obtained with effort.

FAQs

How do I use "it could be acquired" in a sentence?

Use "it could be acquired" when discussing the possibility of obtaining something. For example, "The technology "it could be acquired" to improve our services."

What are some alternatives to "it could be acquired"?

Alternatives include "it might be obtained", "it may be procured", or "it is possible to obtain it", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it could be acquired" formal or informal?

"It could be acquired" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What does "it could be acquired" imply about the certainty of acquisition?

"It could be acquired" suggests a possibility but not a certainty. Other phrases like "it will be acquired" or "it is likely to be acquired" indicate a higher degree of confidence.