make an acquisition

USAGE SUMMARY

This is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "make an acquisition" to describe a purchase of a company, or a subsidiary. For example, "The company decided to make an acquisition and purchased a rival business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Borrow money and make an acquisition.

The Economist

No, they are art collectors about to make an acquisition.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Horowitz announced then that the company was looking to make an acquisition.

The New York Times

To get the type of growth you seek, does ING need to make an acquisition?

The New York Times - Tech

Chris Taylor, Mashable "Why would Apple make an acquisition which is so atypical for Apple?

The Guardian - Tech

Vodafone could sit on cash until they are ready to make an acquisition.

The Guardian - Business

"Whenever you make an acquisition you are venturing into unknown territory," he said.

The New York Times

Analysts believe Astra needs to make an acquisition to boost its grow prospects.

The Guardian - Business

He hopes to make an acquisition in Europe later this year.

The Guardian - Business

"You have heard them say that it was the board that decided to make an acquisition.

The Guardian - Business

He added, "If the opportunity comes along, we still have plenty of leeway to make an acquisition".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific verbs like "acquire", "purchase", or "buy out" for conciseness, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "make an acquisition" interchangeably with "merge". "Make an acquisition" implies one company buys another, while "merge" suggests a more equal partnership. Understand the difference and use the right term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an acquisition" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, where "make" is the verb and "an acquisition" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase describes the act of purchasing another company or entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an acquisition" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a company's strategic decision to purchase another entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is often found in business and news contexts, denoting actions aimed at growth or market expansion. While alternatives like "acquire a company" or "purchase a company" exist, "make an acquisition" emphasizes the process and intention behind the purchase. It's crucial to distinguish this phrase from "merge", which implies a more equal joining of two entities. Therefore, understanding the precise meaning and context is vital for accurate and effective communication in business and finance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire a company

This alternative is more direct, using "acquire" as the main verb instead of "make an acquisition".

take over a business

This alternative uses "take over" which implies gaining control of the business.

purchase a company

This alternative uses "purchase", focusing on the act of buying the company.

buy out a firm

This alternative, "buy out", implies purchasing all of the shares or assets of the firm.

merge with another company

This alternative, "merge with", describes a mutual joining of two companies, unlike a one-sided acquisition.

secure a takeover

This alternative, "secure a takeover", focuses on the act of successfully completing the acquisition.

consummate an acquisition

This alternative is more formal, using "consummate" to mean finalize or complete.

close a deal to acquire

This alternative highlights the closing of the deal which enables the acquisition.

undertake a merger

This alternative uses "undertake" which implies the initiation of a merger.

effect a buyout

This alternative uses "effect" which is a more formal verb choice emphasizing bringing the buyout into reality.

FAQs

What does "make an acquisition" mean?

To "make an acquisition" means to purchase another company or a part of it. It's a strategic move for growth or expansion.

How to use "make an acquisition" in a sentence?

Example: "The company decided to "make an acquisition" to increase its market share."

What can I say instead of "make an acquisition"?

You can use alternatives like "acquire a company", "take over a business", or "purchase a company" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "make an acquisition" and "merge"?

"Make an acquisition" implies one entity buys another. "Merge", on the other hand, suggests a mutual combining of two entities.