they were acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of obtaining or gaining possession of something, often in a business or financial context. Example: "The company announced that they were acquired by a larger firm, which will help expand their market reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were acquired by 1997.

Columbia University

Both Tumblr and GeoCities lost money when they were acquired.

The New York Times

They were acquired in 1912, without much provenance information.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1844, they were acquired by the British Museum.

Independent

Three months into their startup life, they were acquired by Google.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Gives dates and titles of some of the books and tells how they were acquired.

The New Yorker

They were acquired by the Mavericks in separate trades on draft night in June.

The New York Times - Sports

Libraries shoudn't return objects or documents because they are sacred, but because they were acquired unjustly or transferred unjustly.

Princeton University

Both wonder when their high-priced recruits will start filling the roles they were acquired to perform.

The New York Times - Sports

Though, uniquely, chef and co-owner Brett Graham has to think very hard to recall which years they were acquired.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Before they were acquired by private investors, many of those homes scored at or above national averages in similar measurements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were acquired" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of the acquisition, focusing on the object or entity being acquired rather than the acquirer.

Common error

Avoid using "they were acquired" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "They were acquired by the company", consider "The company acquired them" if the focus is on the company's action.

Linguistic Context

They were acquired functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject (they) underwent the action of being acquired by another entity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct. Examples show its common application in business and historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

26%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were acquired" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction indicating that a subject has been taken over or purchased. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the passive voice is appropriate and consider using active voice alternatives when a more direct style is preferred. Ludwig's extensive examples help illustrate the variety of situations where "they were acquired" is a suitable and effective choice. Remember to focus on the receiver rather than the actor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were purchased

Focuses specifically on the act of buying something.

they were obtained

Emphasizes the act of getting something, regardless of the method.

they were taken over

Implies a transfer of control, often in a business context.

they were procured

Suggests a formal or official acquisition process.

they were secured

Highlights the act of making something safe or certain.

they were attained

Emphasizes the achievement of acquiring something after effort.

they were appropriated

Suggests taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission.

they were inherited

Indicates receiving something as an inheritance.

ownership was transferred to them

Highlights change of ownership.

they came into possession of

Suggests a gradual or incidental acquisition.

FAQs

How can I use "they were acquired" in a sentence?

Use "they were acquired" when referring to a group or entity that has been taken over or purchased by another entity. For example, "The startup announced that "they were acquired" by a major tech company."

What can I say instead of "they were acquired"?

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

Which is correct, "they were acquired" or "they acquired"?

"They were acquired" is passive voice, focusing on the entity being acquired. "They acquired" is active voice, focusing on the entity doing the acquiring. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

Is "they were acquired" formal or informal?

"They were acquired" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.