obtain love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain love" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of acquiring or achieving love, whether in a romantic context or in a broader sense of affection. Example: "Many people believe that to truly be happy, one must obtain love from others and give love in return."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sex is not a way to obtain love, but an expression of love and affection/attraction that already exists.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

An additional reason for lack of condom use expressed by informants was the promise of obtaining love and a better life, with several describing incidents where male sexual partners promised ongoing love and care.

BMC Women's Health

Only in abandoning her studies, the philosophe suggested, could the marquise hope to "reclaim all her charms" and obtain the love for which she was intended.

The New York Times

As for embracing her own curves, the actress credits co-star Sofia Vergara on helping her obtain self-love.  .

Huffington Post

It was not obtained by love or gentleness but, necessarily, by concessions on steel, textiles and more.The Democratic Party is almost uniformly opposed to pursuing further reductions in trade barriers.

The Economist

It is an incredible fact that these "hard maxims" — directives to the self to have courage, seek out the enemy, obtain victory, and love the war — were taken as literal directives by whole nations.

The New Yorker

It is a form of stinginess that prevents the very things people are determined to obtain... closeness, love, intimacy, connectedness...... as well as great sex.

Huffington Post

Maslow argued that after the physiological and safety needs, it is necessary to obtain feelings of love and belonging [ 25].

BMC Health Services Research

The chaos and panic unleashed by the travel ban signed late Friday night — green-card holders stuck in airport interrogation; family members separated from one another, unable to obtain information about loved ones; lawyers prevented from meeting with their clients — strengthened the city's resolve to push back.

The New Yorker

Men still use (the promise of) love to obtain sex, while women offer sex in the hope of getting love and commitment.

The Guardian - Books

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some well spouses must consider the heart-wrenching decision to divorce the person they love in order to obtain the medical care their loved one needs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obtain love", consider the nuance it conveys. It suggests an effort or process involved in acquiring love, rather than it being freely given. Ensure this aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "obtain love" when a more passive or natural expression like "find love" or "experience love" better suits the context. "Obtain" can sound transactional if not used carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain love" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "obtain" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("love"). Ludwig AI provides examples demonstrating its usage in expressing the acquisition of love, whether through effort, circumstance, or promise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

26%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain love" is grammatically sound and carries the specific meaning of acquiring or achieving love, according to Ludwig. While generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of its connotations of effort or transaction. Semantically related alternatives include "find love", "earn love", and "win someone's heart", each with subtly different implications. Usage is most common in News & Media and Science sources, with a neutral to formal register. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms the validity and diverse application of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find love

Emphasizes the discovery or chance encounter of love.

gain affection

Focuses on acquiring fondness or liking from someone.

earn love

Highlights the idea that love must be deserved through actions or qualities.

attract love

Suggests drawing love towards oneself through personal characteristics or behavior.

win someone's heart

Implies successfully capturing another person's romantic feelings.

cultivate love

Highlights the need for nurturing and growing love over time.

secure love

Suggests ensuring love's permanence or stability.

develop affection

Focuses on the gradual growth of fondness or liking.

foster love

Emphasizes the active encouragement and promotion of love.

experience love

Highlights the sensation and feeling of being in love.

FAQs

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

You can use "obtain love" when discussing the effort or process of acquiring love, as in "She worked hard to "obtain love" from her family".

What are some alternatives to "obtain love"?

Alternatives include "find love", "earn love", or "win someone's heart", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey. Each alternative highlights a slightly different aspect of acquiring or experiencing love.

Is it more appropriate to say "find love" or "obtain love"?

"Find love" suggests a chance encounter or discovery, while ""obtain love"" implies a more active effort or process. The best choice depends on the specific situation you're describing.

What does "obtain love" imply about the nature of love?

"Obtain love" suggests that love is something that must be worked for or acquired, rather than freely given or passively received. This can imply a transactional or conditional view of love.