might have obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might have obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or speculation about a past action or event that may have occurred. Example: "She might have obtained the necessary documents before the deadline, but we cannot be sure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Did it suggest that traditional methods alone might have obtained the same information or more?

The New York Times

-- did not appear to require a clearance, and she did not know where he might have obtained one.

The New York Times

Experts were uncertain of how the group might have obtained chemical weapons or whether it had access to more.

The Guardian

That the agents might have obtained a warrant to make the search only emphasizes the illegality of their conduct.

Cornell University

In the course of investigating the killing, detectives were told that the person who shot Mr. Fisher might have obtained a gun from Mr. Wenzel, officials said.

The New York Times

A week before Feinstein and Chambliss met with Brennan, a C.I.A. official had told him that the Senate investigators might have obtained the Panetta review.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Sarin is too complicated and expensive for rebels to have manufactured themselves, and while they might potentially have obtained some supplies of stolen nerve agents or other gas, it is very unlikely to be more than a few kilos.

The Guardian

Recently, advances in synthetic biology have allowed us to perform more advanced systems metabolic engineering by creating novel biological systems, empowering microorganisms to gain new metabolic capabilities, which they otherwise might not have obtained naturally.

Comprehensive Biotechnology

However, these women might also have obtained information that they are infertile.

BMC Cancer

Whether they might have been obtained by federal reservation is not important.

Cornell University

Who might have lawfully obtained a copy of a copyrighted work but not owned that copy?

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject "might have obtained" and from where or whom. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid the common error of writing 'might of obtained'. The correct form is 'might have obtained', where 'have' is an auxiliary verb forming the perfect tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might have obtained" functions as a modal verb construction expressing possibility or speculation regarding a past action of acquiring something. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

30%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "might have obtained" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the possibility of a past acquisition. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While it appears mostly in a neutral register, remember to avoid the common mistake of writing 'might of obtained'. Keep in mind that while the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, the context surrounding it should still be verified to ensure that the phrase accurately represents the message that you want to transmit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have acquired

Suggests possibility and gaining possession, similar to "might have obtained", but with a slightly stronger implication of effort or action.

may have received

Implies possibility and the act of being given something, differing from "might have obtained" which can also suggest earning or taking.

possibly procured

More formal, suggests effort in acquiring something, unlike "might have obtained" which is more neutral.

potentially gained

Indicates possibility and benefit from acquiring something, differing from the neutral acquisition in "might have obtained".

conceivably secured

Implies possibility and effort in ensuring acquisition, adding a sense of competition or challenge not present in "might have obtained".

perhaps attained

Suggests possibility and achievement in gaining something, differing from the more general "might have obtained".

possibly come by

Informal, suggests possibility and how something was acquired, often implying luck or chance.

might have gotten hold of

Informal, suggests possibility and obtaining something, often with a sense of secrecy or difficulty.

could have landed

Implies possibility and successfully acquiring something, often used for opportunities or positions.

may have captured

Suggests possibility and taking possession, often by force or strategy.

FAQs

How to use "might have obtained" in a sentence?

Use "might have obtained" to express a possibility or speculation about something acquired in the past. For example, "The suspect might have obtained the weapon illegally."

What can I say instead of "might have obtained"?

You can use alternatives like "could have acquired", "may have received", or "possibly procured" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "might have obtained" or "might of obtained"?

"Might have obtained" is correct. "Might of obtained" is a common error resulting from mishearing or misunderstanding the contraction "might've".

What is the difference between "might have obtained" and "must have obtained"?

"Might have obtained" indicates a possibility or uncertainty about a past event, while "must have obtained" suggests a strong belief or logical conclusion about a past event.