obtaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obtaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a present participle verb (part of the verb "obtain") and can be used in a variety of ways. For example, you can use it to express the action of getting a desired object or outcome: "They were successful in obtaining the grant for their research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

US technology companies routinely complain about the difficulty of obtaining visas for foreign software engineers.

The Guardian - Tech

The three options, Obama said, were to bomb the nuclear facilities and launch a third war in the Middle East, maintain the status quo and hope for the best, or seek "a robust and verifiable deal like this one that peacefully prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon".

The Guardian

What I do know is that there are several agencies offering the service and that obtaining a degree really matters to the UK's 2.5 million students (their parents and sponsors), half a million of whom are from overseas, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

The Guardian

It concerned the "trawling and scooping" by the NSA of global electronic communication and the use of foreign intelligence agencies such as Britain's GCHQ and the obtaining of data from companies such as Google, Microsoft, FaceBook and Apple to apparently circumvent national laws on personal privacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Officers are obtaining CCTV footage and carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area.

The Guardian

Obtaining funding – the resources are there but it is difficult to find out how to tap into them.

The Guardian

That would show they were serious about expanding the academic gene pool beyond the little uniformed clones bred purely for the purposes of obtaining a partnership in McHarg, Drummond and Watson.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even obtaining aspirin in a public hospital can prove impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, due to the fact that he had apparently used a laptop connected to the physical network, hidden in a wiring cupboard in the university, the charges were of wire fraud, computer fraud, unlawfully obtaining information from a protected computer and recklessly damaging a protected computer.

The Guardian - Tech

However, after obtaining £500,000 in funding from the Co-op Community & Finance, the project was delayed as they were unable to find enough tenants willing to commit to the venture.

The Guardian

Japanese officials declined to comment on specifics ahead of the ruling, but a fisheries agency official said it maintained the view that "Japan's whaling is purely for the purposes of obtaining scientific data, so that whale resources can be sustainably maintained".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obtaining" when you want to emphasize the process or effort involved in getting something. It suggests more than simply receiving; it implies some action or effort on the part of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "obtaining" when a more passive verb like "receiving" or "being given" is more appropriate. "Obtaining" implies active effort, so using it passively can sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obtaining" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund acting as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. Examples include "officers are obtaining CCTV footage" and "the difficulty of obtaining a work visa."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtaining" functions as a present participle indicating the action of acquiring something, frequently with effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in neutral to formal contexts like news, business, and science. While it shares semantic space with alternatives like "acquiring" and "securing", "obtaining" emphasizes the process involved. When writing, remember that "obtaining" implies active effort and should be used appropriately in passive contexts. Its widespread use is supported by its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquiring

Replaces "obtaining" with a synonym, focusing on the act of coming into possession of something.

securing

Suggests making something safe or certain, emphasizing the effort to guarantee possession.

procuring

Implies obtaining something with care or effort, often through specific means.

achieving

Focuses on the successful completion of a task or goal that results in gaining something.

receiving

Highlights the act of getting something that is given or sent.

gaining possession of

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the act of getting control or ownership.

coming into possession of

A more formal and legalistic way of expressing the act of getting something.

laying hold of

Suggests seizing or taking possession of something, often quickly or decisively.

getting hold of

An informal way of saying "obtaining", implying some difficulty in acquiring something.

taking receipt of

Focuses on the formal act of accepting something that is delivered or sent.

FAQs

How is "obtaining" typically used in a sentence?

"Obtaining" is usually used as a present participle, often describing the action of getting something, such as "obtaining funding" or "obtaining data".

What's a formal alternative to "obtaining"?

Formal alternatives include "acquiring", "procuring", or "securing", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "obtaining" and "receiving"?

Yes, "obtaining" implies effort or action in getting something, while "receiving" simply means to get something that is given or sent. You "obtain" something through effort, and you "receive" something passively.

What can I say instead of "difficulty of obtaining"?

Consider using phrases like "challenge of acquiring", "problem of securing", or "hurdle to "gaining access to"" depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.