procure intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "procure intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to gathering information or acquiring knowledge, often in a formal or strategic setting. Example: "The agency was tasked to procure intelligence on the potential threats to national security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Asked about the morality of receiving intelligence that has been extracted through torture, Miliband told the committee: "We would never procure intelligence, or procure evidence through torture.

The Guardian

As the issue of whether to use torture to procure intelligence again resurfaces, we should look back to the use of torture in the ancient world.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"In all the world, and in all time, no one has invented a way of procuring intelligence, and counter-intelligence, other than through such a network.

The New Yorker

Military Intelligence Firm: A firm that procures intelligence through direct or indirect interrogation, aerial or ground surveillance, or decoding and analyzing data.

Huffington Post

John Adams wrote of Cushing that "[He] is steady and constant and busy in the interest of liberty and the opposition, and is famed for secrecy and his talent for procuring intelligence".

Wikipedia

This he showed to every visitor, taking it down to read aloud: "The necessity of procuring good intelligence is apparent and need not be further urged".

The New York Times - Magazine

The rise of nationalism was accompanied by the growth of standing armies and professional diplomats as well as by the establishment of organizations and procedures for procuring foreign intelligence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

America's history of spying began in the beginning, with George Washington, who famously declared "the necessity of procuring good intelligence is apparent and need not be further urged".

The New York Times

On 26 July 1777, at the height of the American Revolutionary War, he wrote to Colonel Elias Dayton, who ran a spy ring in Staten Island, urging secrecy: 'The necessity of procuring good Intelligence, is apparent and need not be further urged.

Huffington Post

Such a subversion of authority becomes exceedingly magnified when we catch it, as Zero Dark Thirty shows it, emanating from the government halls--or the detention camps and black sites--of world powers, especially those devoted to the vain attempt at procuring reliable intelligence and an insular sense of security.

Huffington Post

But the context makes plain that this was intelligence procured without torture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "procure intelligence" in formal contexts where the acquisition of information is strategic or official. It's suitable for reports, briefings, or discussions related to national security, business strategy, or research.

Common error

Avoid using "procure intelligence" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "get information" or "find out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "procure intelligence" functions as a verb-noun construction, where "procure" acts as a transitive verb taking "intelligence" as its direct object. This indicates the act of obtaining or acquiring information, often in a formal or strategic setting. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "procure intelligence" is a grammatically sound and strategically focused phrase used to describe the acquisition of information, particularly in formal or professional settings. While Ludwig confirms its correct usage, it is relatively rare, and simpler alternatives such as "gather intelligence" or "obtain information" may be more appropriate in less formal contexts. The phrase's formality makes it well-suited for reports, strategic briefings, and official discussions, while overuse in casual conversation should be avoided. Its function centers on expressing the deliberate and often complex process of obtaining information for decision-making purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather intelligence

Focuses on the act of collecting information, emphasizing the process.

obtain intelligence

Highlights the attainment of information, suggesting a successful effort.

acquire intelligence

Emphasizes the gaining of knowledge or understanding.

secure intelligence

Implies making the information safe and available for use.

extract intelligence

Suggests removing information from a source, often through analysis.

develop intelligence

Focuses on building understanding through investigation and analysis.

collect data

A broader term that encompasses the gathering of factual information.

source information

Highlights the identification and use of information sources.

ferret out information

Suggests uncovering hidden or difficult-to-find information.

glean insights

Implies carefully gathering and interpreting information to gain understanding.

FAQs

What does "procure intelligence" mean?

"Procure intelligence" means to obtain or acquire information, often through careful or strategic means, typically in contexts such as national security or business where gathering information is crucial.

What can I say instead of "procure intelligence"?

You can use alternatives like "gather intelligence", "obtain intelligence", or "acquire information" depending on the context.

Is "procure intelligence" formal or informal?

"Procure intelligence" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "get information" are more appropriate.

How does "procure intelligence" differ from "gather intelligence"?

While both refer to obtaining information, "procure intelligence" suggests a more deliberate and strategic effort, whereas "gather intelligence" is a more general term for collecting information.