obtain knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"obtain knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to gaining information or understanding on a particular topic. For example, "I attended a seminar to obtain knowledge on the latest marketing trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interdisciplinary research is necessary in order to obtain knowledge about individual ion activity coefficients.

Electrochimica Acta

The flattening world has allowed just about anyone to obtain knowledge, and the US is now competing against similar or better rivals.

The Guardian

No one disputes the goal of security checks -- to block terrorists before they enter the country and obtain knowledge or technology that could foster their aims.

The New York Times

But a basic desire to obtain knowledge — which Tengo assumed to be a more or less natural urge in people — was lacking in the man.

The New Yorker

The sponges investigated are varied in material, porosity and cell density to obtain knowledge concerning dependencies.

Chemical Engineering Science

Traffic profiling is a means to obtain knowledge of the traffic behavior.

Computer Networks

A party, however, may be held to the duty to exert reasonable effort to obtain knowledge of a fact...

Harvard University

Google is trying to scan almost every book in the world to build a virtual Library of Alexandria wherein anyone, anywhere, can obtain knowledge about anything.

The Guardian - Tech

Although Cuba lies just off our shores, problems of politics have made it difficult to obtain knowledge of its dance activities.

The New York Times - Arts

Carbon nitride thin films deposited by reactive RF magnetron sputtering were studied to obtain knowledge for various applications.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Using this infrastructure students obtain knowledge with emerging industrial technology and become the actors of upcoming industrial revolution.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obtain knowledge" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and active effort to acquire information or skills. For example, "Students should actively seek opportunities to "obtain knowledge" in their field of study."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "obtain knowledge" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "learn" or "find out" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain knowledge" functions as a verb phrase where "obtain" acts as a transitive verb, taking "knowledge" as its direct object. It signifies the action of acquiring information or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obtain knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies the action of acquiring information or skills. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to express the deliberate effort to gain understanding, especially in formal, scientific, and academic contexts. While effective, simpler alternatives like "learn" may be preferable in informal settings. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as ScienceDirect, The New York Times, and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance. For writers aiming for precision and a formal tone, "obtain knowledge" remains a strong and appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire knowledge

Emphasizes the process of gaining knowledge through effort or experience.

gain knowledge

Focuses on the increase or accumulation of knowledge over time.

gather knowledge

Suggests collecting information from various sources.

learn

A more general term for gaining understanding or skill through study or experience.

secure knowledge

Indicates obtaining knowledge in a safe and reliable manner.

develop understanding

Highlights the gradual growth of comprehension.

attain enlightenment

Implies reaching a high level of understanding or wisdom.

cultivate wisdom

Suggests nurturing and expanding one's knowledge over time.

glean insights

Implies extracting valuable information from a larger body of knowledge.

ascertain facts

Focuses on discovering and confirming accurate information.

FAQs

What is the difference between "gain knowledge" and "obtain knowledge"?

"Gain knowledge" generally refers to a gradual accumulation of understanding over time, while "obtain knowledge" suggests a more deliberate and active effort to acquire specific information or skills. They are often interchangeable, but "obtain" emphasizes the active pursuit.

How can I use "obtain knowledge" effectively in a sentence?

Use "obtain knowledge" to emphasize a focused effort to learn or acquire information. For example, "Researchers conduct experiments to "obtain knowledge" about the effects of climate change".

Are there more formal alternatives to "obtain knowledge"?

While "obtain knowledge" itself is fairly formal, you could consider even more elevated alternatives like "acquire expertise" or "attain enlightenment" in specific contexts, depending on the desired level of formality and the nature of the knowledge being sought.

When is it better to use "learn" instead of "obtain knowledge"?

"Learn" is a more general term suitable for informal contexts or when the process of acquiring knowledge is less emphasized. Use "obtain knowledge" when you want to highlight the intentional effort and focused approach to gaining specific information or skills. For example, instead of saying "I want to learn about history," you could say "I want to "obtain knowledge" about the history of ancient Rome" to emphasize a more focused pursuit.