they acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something, often in a business or formal context. Example: "After months of negotiations, they acquired the rights to the new technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They acquired several cookbooks.

The New York Times

They acquired a puggle, Tate.

The New York Times

First, they acquired Tank Johnson.

The New York Times

They acquired horses and firearms before 1750.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We don't ask people how they acquired those needs".

The Guardian

For the most part, they acquired players for cash.

The New York Times - Sports

They acquired CBS's music publishing business for $125 million.

The New York Times

What they acquired from abroad and developed empirically was geometry.

The Guardian - Opinion

They acquired a plot of practically untouched land in Mamaroneck.

The New Yorker

On Wednesday, they acquired Antawn Jamison to bolster their frontcourt.

The New York Times

Along the way they acquired a patina of counterculture.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they acquired", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to and what was acquired. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they acquired" when a simpler verb like "bought", "obtained", or "received" would be more appropriate and clear. Overusing "acquired" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they acquired" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a group or entity has obtained something. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains, confirming its common usage. It typically involves a subject ("they") and a transitive verb ("acquired") followed by an object.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they acquired" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a group has gained possession of something. Ludwig confirms its frequent usage across diverse fields, particularly in news, science, and business. The phrase is generally neutral to professional in register and serves to report on acquisitions. While there are several alternatives, such as "they obtained" or "they secured", "they acquired" remains a clear and effective choice for conveying this meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they obtained

Focuses on the act of getting or receiving something, often through effort or request. /s/they+obtained

they secured

Implies a sense of effort and achievement in gaining possession or control of something. /s/they+secured

they purchased

Specifically refers to acquiring something by paying for it. /s/they+purchased

they procured

Suggests acquiring something, often through special effort or means. /s/they+procured

they attained

Highlights the achievement of reaching a certain level or acquiring a particular quality or status. /s/they+attained

they gained

Emphasizes the process of gradually acquiring something, often knowledge or experience. /s/they+gained

they assumed possession of

A more formal way of saying they took ownership of something. /s/they+assumed+possession+of

they came into possession of

Indicates how someone obtained something, often referring to inheritance or unexpected acquisition. /s/they+came+into+possession+of

they took ownership of

Directly states the act of assuming ownership of something. /s/they+took+ownership+of

they inherited

Specifically means they acquired something through inheritance. /s/they+inherited

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they acquired"?

You can use alternatives like "they obtained", "they secured", or "they purchased" depending on the context.

Is "they acquired" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they acquired" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb order and is widely used in formal and informal writing.

How do I use "they acquired" in a sentence?

Use "they acquired" to indicate that a group or entity has gained possession of something. For example, "They acquired a new company" or "They acquired valuable skills through training".

What's the difference between "they acquired" and "they inherited"?

"They acquired" is a general term for gaining possession, while "they inherited" specifically means they received something through inheritance, usually after someone's death.