obtain for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the action of acquiring something on behalf of someone else or for a specific purpose. Example: "I will obtain for you the necessary documents for your application."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

§ 37.860 What rights should I obtain for inventions?

Cornell University

Even low-skill jobs are difficult to obtain for somebody with a felony record.

The New York Times - Magazine

Such input is impossible to obtain for something the world does not yet know it needs.

Harvard Business Review

These variables are easy to obtain for all vessels.

Fisheries Research

In the aftermath, credit became harder to obtain for importers and confidence waned among would-be buyers of many products.

The New York Times

Such privileges are also difficult to obtain for abortion doctors in a state where many hospitals are affiliated with churches.

The Guardian

"Small wonder that, for many immigrants, justice was something a man had to obtain for himself," Mr. Dash writes.

The New York Times

Expert feedback is valuable but hard to obtain for many designers.

University of California, Berkeley

For all hoped to obtain for themselves the gifts which had been promised.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Medill helped to obtain for Chicago the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consequently, intuitive insights are more difficult to obtain for solid geometry than for plane geometry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obtain for", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is benefiting from the acquisition. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "obtain for" in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "get for" are more appropriate. Assess the audience and adjust your language accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain for" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of getting or acquiring something with the intention of benefiting someone or something else. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain for" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that signifies acquiring something for a specific purpose or on behalf of someone else. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. Alternatives like "acquire for" or "secure for" can offer nuanced variations in meaning and formality. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing between "obtain for" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire for

Direct synonym, replacing "obtain" with "acquire" which has a slightly more formal tone.

secure for

Emphasizes the effort involved in getting something, suggesting it might not be easy to get.

procure for

More formal and suggests careful or official acquisition.

get for

More informal and general, suitable for casual contexts.

attain for

Suggests achieving or reaching something, implying effort and a goal.

arrange for

Focuses on the planning and organization involved in getting something.

gain for

Implies effort and benefit in acquiring something.

find for

Focuses on the act of discovering or locating something for someone.

earn for

Suggests that something is acquired through work or merit.

extract for

Implies carefully removing or acquiring something, sometimes with difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "obtain for" to indicate acquiring something on behalf of someone, as in "I will obtain the necessary documents "for you"" or "She will obtain funding "for the project"".

What's a more formal alternative to "obtain for"?

Alternatives like "procure for" or "secure for" are more formal than "obtain for" and might be suitable in professional or academic contexts.

Is there a difference between "obtain for" and "get for"?

"Get for" is a more casual and informal way of saying "obtain for". While "obtain" implies a deliberate effort to acquire something, "get" is more general and can imply a less formal process.

When is it best to use "obtain for" over other alternatives?

Use "obtain for" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and purposeful action of acquiring something, particularly when it benefits someone else or serves a specific goal. Avoid using it if the context is casual or if simpler alternatives suffice.