obtain credit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain credit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of acquiring recognition, approval, or financial credit, often in academic or financial contexts. Example: "Students must complete all assignments to obtain credit for the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The federal loan guarantee had been retired because Lockheed could obtain credit without the government's help.

The New York Times

Creditworthy small firms would gladly pay somewhat higher rates to obtain credit.

The New York Times

Most borrowers are seeing no evidence of a change in their ability to obtain credit".

The New York Times

Some companies say they obtain credit checks to supplement terse references from former employers.

The New York Times

Another glittering prize would be to help Chinese consumers obtain credit, too.

The Economist

It provides an efficient way to obtain credit through a bank or financial institution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Should nonworking spouses be able to obtain credit in their name alone?

The New York Times

The goal of the program was to encourage lending to companies that could not otherwise obtain credit.

The New York Times

But financial institutions are facing growing criticism over the ease with which college students can obtain credit.

The New York Times

Most of the 19 obtained Social Security numbers, which allowed them to open bank accounts and obtain credit cards.

The New York Times

During the recession, inability to obtain credit severely curtailed auto buying as lenders rejected even those with good credit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, use "obtain credit" to emphasize the formal process of acquiring borrowing power from institutions.

Common error

Don't use "obtain credit" when "build credit" or "use credit" is more appropriate. "Obtain" refers specifically to the initial act of acquiring credit, not the ongoing management or utilization of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain credit" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of acquiring or receiving credit, whether it's in the context of loans, credit cards, or other forms of financial borrowing. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtain credit" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that refers to the act of acquiring credit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and understandable phrase. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its usage extends to scientific and encyclopedic contexts as well. To improve your writing, remember that "obtain credit" signifies the initial acquisition, not the ongoing management or utilization of credit. When selecting alternatives, consider nuances; for example, "secure credit" emphasizes effort, while "access credit" focuses on availability. "Obtain credit" is a versatile phrase applicable in various formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Secure credit

Emphasizes the effort and action required to get credit.

Acquire credit

Focuses on the act of gaining credit, often through a process.

Get credit

A more general and informal way to say "obtain credit".

Access credit

Highlights the ability to use or draw upon available credit.

Receive credit

Focuses on the act of being granted credit by another party.

Gain credit access

Highlights access as the primary goal in obtaining credit.

Procure credit

Implies a formal or official process to get credit.

Draw credit

Focuses on utilizing already available credit.

Attain credit

Similar to acquire, but often suggests a longer or more challenging effort.

Establish credit

Focuses on building a credit history.

FAQs

How can I use "obtain credit" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain credit" in sentences such as: "Small businesses often struggle to "secure credit"", or "Students may need a credit card to "establish credit"".

What is a good alternative for "obtain credit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "secure credit", "acquire credit", or simply "get credit".

Is it better to "obtain credit" or "build credit"?

"Obtain credit" refers to the initial act of acquiring credit, while "build credit" refers to the process of improving your credit score over time. They are different concepts.

What's the difference between "obtain credit" and "access credit"?

"Obtain credit" means to initially get approved for credit, while "access credit" means to use the credit that you already have. For example, once you "obtain a credit card", you can then "draw credit" by making purchases with it.