obtain information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'obtain information' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used when referring to getting information that is relevant or necessary to a particular situation. For example: The company needs to obtain information from its customers to better understand their needs.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You obtain information that isn't true.

The New York Times - Books

Connecticut residents can obtain information at www.drought.state.ct.us.us

The New York Times

Rawi had also helped MI5 to obtain information about Qatada.

The Guardian

Instead Sir Nicholas said it was used to obtain "information".

The Guardian

— before she could obtain information on the available plans.

The New Yorker

They beat us day after day to obtain information.

The Guardian

Next, obtain information about the course.

Princeton University

How can I obtain information about HLS?

Harvard University

"It is important how I obtain information," Ms. Viken said.

The New York Times

And Paracel will obtain information from Celera that could help it design better machines.

The New York Times

Other options should be plausible alternatives, such as "I wish to obtain information about travel requirements".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "obtain information" instead of more casual alternatives like "find out". This maintains a professional tone, especially in academic or business contexts.

Common error

While "obtain information" is correct, avoid overusing it in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "get information" or "find out" might be more appropriate and sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain information" functions as a verb phrase where "obtain" is the transitive verb and "information" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

28%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obtain information" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase, as verified by Ludwig. It serves the purpose of describing the act of acquiring knowledge or data, with "obtain" acting as a transitive verb and "information" as its direct object. Ludwig's examples confirm its wide usage across academic, news, and business contexts. While formally correct, overusing "obtain information" in informal settings should be avoided, opting for simpler alternatives like "get information" or "find out" to maintain a natural conversational tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Acquire information

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning to "obtain".

Gather data

Focuses on collecting factual material specifically.

Collect intelligence

Implies gathering secret or strategic information.

Procure details

Suggests a more formal and deliberate effort to get specific details.

Secure facts

Emphasizes the reliability and verification of the information.

Find out

More informal way to say "obtain information".

Learn about

Focuses on gaining knowledge on a particular subject.

Ascertain the truth

Focuses on discovering accurate information after some investigation.

Extract data

Implies a process of pulling information from a source.

Gain insight

Focuses on getting a deeper understanding rather than just facts.

FAQs

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

You can use "obtain information" in sentences like: "Researchers must "obtain information" through experiments", or "The company aims to "obtain information" about customer preferences".

What are some alternatives to "obtain information"?

Some alternatives to "obtain information" include "acquire information", "gather data", or "collect intelligence", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "obtain information" rather than "get information"?

Yes, "obtain information" is generally more formal than "get information". It's often preferred in academic, professional, or official contexts.

What's the difference between "obtain information" and "find out"?

"Obtain information" is more formal and suggests a deliberate effort to acquire knowledge. "Find out" is more casual and implies discovering something, often without a specific search.