obtained food

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtained food" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of acquiring or receiving food, typically in a past context. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we finally obtained food from a nearby restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Determined to live outside the capitalist system, members of Jonah House often obtained food by dumpster diving and theft.

The New Yorker

Within weeks of arriving, she secured a spacious one-bedroom apartment on an eastern Brooklyn boulevard through the city's H.I.V./AIDS Services Administration, and obtained food stamps.

The New York Times

They obtained food principally by foraging wild seeds, roots, and nuts, though agriculture was apparently incipient at this time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This man, who had lived with us like he was a member of the family, said to her, 'Where you are going you will not need boots.' " By early 1942, the small group living in the forest near Novogrudok included the three brothers along with young Aron, who lived by their wits and obtained food by holding up peasants at gunpoint.

The New York Times

Some rats brought back food pellets to the cage (divers) while the others (non-divers) stayed in the sole home cage and obtained food only by stealing it from divers.

Behavioural Processes

There, Hudson obtained food and brought it back to the settlement.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Additionally, to assess the animal's motivation for choosing a particular cup, we scored whether they consumed the obtained foods.

Plosone

As a measure of the animals' interest in the different food types we scored, whether or not they consumed the obtained foods.

Plosone

Fewer than 5percentt obtain food through the World Food Program, she said.

The New York Times

Lizards spend considerable time obtaining food, usually insects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The accompagnante was there to provide company, obtain food, etc.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obtained food" when you want to emphasize the action of acquiring food, particularly in situations where it might be challenging or require effort. For instance, "During the famine, the villagers risked their lives to "obtained food".

Common error

Avoid using "obtain" in the present tense when a simpler verb like "get" or "have" would suffice. "I obtain food at the grocery store" sounds overly formal; instead, say "I get food at the grocery store".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtained food" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of getting or acquiring food. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe both mundane and difficult situations of acquiring food.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtained food" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the action of acquiring food. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct. Its formality is generally neutral, making it appropriate for news articles, scientific discussions, and encyclopedic entries, as seen in the examples. When you choose to use the phrase "obtained food", consider the nuance you want to convey; if you want to sound less formal, you may opt for alternative expressions such as "acquired sustenance" or "secured nourishment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Received nourishment

Focuses on the act of being given or provided with food.

Acquired sustenance

Focuses on the act of gaining what is necessary to sustain life.

Secured nourishment

Emphasizes the effort involved in making food secure.

Procured edibles

Highlights the process of getting food items, often with some effort.

Gained access to provisions

Stresses the accessibility of food supplies.

Accessed a food supply

Highlights having the ability to get food.

Gathered victuals

Implies a collection of food items, typically in a historical context.

Collected food items

Focuses on the act of gathering different types of food.

Foraged for sustenance

Highlights the act of searching and finding food in a natural environment.

Ate

Simplest way to describe consumption of food.

FAQs

How can I use "obtained food" in a sentence?

You can use "obtained food" to describe the act of getting food, especially when it involves effort or a specific process. For example, "The refugees finally "obtained food" after days of searching".

What are some alternatives to "obtained food"?

Alternatives include "acquired food", "secured food", or "procured food", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "obtained food" or "got food"?

"Obtained food" is more formal and emphasizes the act of acquiring, while "got food" is more informal and general. The choice depends on the context and the desired tone.

What's the difference between "obtained food" and "foraged for food"?

"Obtained food" is a general term for getting food through any means. "Foraged for food" specifically refers to searching for and collecting food in the wild.