obtains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtains" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of acquiring or gaining something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The researcher obtains data from various sources to support her findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

AbbVie obtains over half its revenues from one rheumatoid athritis treatment, Humira, which is the world's top selling drug but whose patent runs out in 2016.

The Guardian - Business

In France, which obtains more than half its power from nuclear stations, they look like a good bet.

The Economist

In the meantime, Ms Tucker's advice still obtains: do not hold your breath.

The Economist

The computer-maker obtains most of its revenue from selling hardware and related products to companies, which leaves it vulnerable to business downturns.

The Economist

The new owners of the Alabama works will keep costs down through a shortened supply chain that obtains raw steel from elsewhere in the United States and Mexico.Rio Tinto and Vale became the latest mining companies to slash capital-spending plans.

The Economist

"It should not be about where you learn but what you can do," she says.Once a scholar, always a scholarThe type of secondary school a German attends, the degree he obtains and the exams he passes classify him for life.

The Economist

Although Japanese newspapers have been careful not to put all their articles online free of charge, a generation has decided that the news it obtains from television, mobile phones and the internet is enough.

The Economist

Nearly everybody who obtains news from the internet also commonly watches it on television or reads a newspaper.

The Economist

Even a crummy social service may thrive if it obtains a critical mass.

The Economist

Though Britain has well-regarded intelligence services, it obtains more than half its reports on terrorism from other agencies, principally American.

The Economist

Only $1.4 trillion-worth of this, says Mr Harreld, has been outsourced to other firms.Brillian obtains both the goods and the services it needs to put together its televisions from outsiders all over the world, which means each bit of work goes to whatever company or country is best suited to it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obtains" in formal or academic writing when you want to emphasize a process of acquiring something, especially information, rights, or approval.

Common error

Avoid using "obtains" in casual conversation or informal writing, where simpler words like "gets" or "finds" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "obtains" primarily functions as a third-person singular present tense verb. It signifies the action of acquiring, gaining, or getting possession of something, often in a formal or official manner, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtains" is a versatile verb primarily used to denote the act of acquiring or gaining something, typically in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various domains, especially in news, scientific, and business writing. When using "obtains", consider its formal tone and choose more informal alternatives like "gets" or "finds" for casual contexts. Remember that while "obtains" is widely accepted, careful attention to context ensures effective communication and avoids overuse in less formal settings. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, understanding both the function and appropriate register will help you harness the full potential of this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquires

Focuses more on the act of gaining possession of something.

receives

Emphasizes the act of being given something.

gains

Suggests effort or advantage in acquiring something.

secures

Implies making something safe or certain while acquiring it.

procures

Suggests careful or diligent effort in obtaining something, often something difficult.

attains

Implies reaching a certain level or goal in acquiring something.

achieves

Focuses on the accomplishment of getting something through effort.

earns

Suggests obtaining something as a result of work or merit.

comes by

A more informal way of saying someone gets or acquires something.

gets hold of

Implies finding or gaining access to something, sometimes with difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "obtains" in a sentence?

You can use "obtains" to indicate the action of getting or acquiring something, such as "The company "obtains" its revenue from various sources".

What can I say instead of "obtains"?

You can use alternatives like "acquires", "receives", or "gains" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "obtains" or "gets"?

"Obtains" is more formal than "gets". Use ""obtains"" in formal writing and "gets" in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "obtains" and "secures"?

"Obtains" generally means to get or acquire something, while "secures" implies making something safe or certain in the process of acquiring it.