to acquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to acquire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something. Example: "The company aims to acquire new technologies to enhance its product offerings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He likes to acquire".

The New York Times

To acquire a llama is one thing.

Independent

But credibility can take years to acquire.

The Economist

British government began to acquire some stability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That product takes great effort to acquire.

The New York Times - Books

"We don't need to acquire anything.

The New York Times

They had to acquire a second car.

The New York Times

After I managed to acquire an invite….

The New Yorker

MCCAIN: -- to acquire nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Engage to acquire AdKnowledge.

Forbes

Cambridge, because sites are impossible to acquire.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to acquire" in business contexts, ensure it aligns with the specific method of acquisition, such as a merger, purchase, or takeover.

Common error

Avoid using "to acquire" when describing inherent qualities or characteristics. For example, it's incorrect to say "to acquire intelligence"; instead, use "to develop" or "to improve" intelligence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to acquire" functions primarily as an infinitive, often used to express purpose or intention. Ludwig examples show it frequently introduces a clause explaining the reason for an action, such as "They had to acquire a second car" or "Overseas, Zhang is looking to acquire selectively."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to acquire" is a versatile infinitive used to express the act of obtaining or gaining something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts. Its communicative purpose ranges from indicating intentional procurement in business and science to expressing everyday needs. While generally neutral, its usage spans from formal business plans to informal wikis. Mastering its nuances involves understanding when alternatives like "to obtain", "to secure", or "to procure" might be more appropriate. The sources highlight its frequency in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to obtain

A more formal and general alternative, suitable for various contexts.

to secure

Implies effort and intentionality in obtaining something.

to gain possession of

Emphasizes the act of taking control or ownership.

to attain

Suggests achieving something through effort and perseverance.

to procure

Often used in a business or formal context to indicate obtaining something through specific means.

to take ownership of

Highlights the transfer of ownership rights.

to come into possession of

Suggests a more passive or accidental acquisition.

to earn

Suggests obtaining something through effort and deserving it.

to get hold of

A more informal way of saying "to acquire", often used in casual conversation.

to win

Implies obtaining something through competition or chance.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "to acquire"?

You can use alternatives like "to obtain", "to secure", or "to procure" depending on the context.

How to use "to acquire" in a sentence?

You can use "to acquire" in a sentence to express the act of gaining possession of something, such as "The company plans to acquire new technologies" or "He wants to acquire more knowledge in the field".

Which is correct, "to acquire" or "acquiring"?

Both "to acquire" and "acquiring" are correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "To acquire" is an infinitive form, while "acquiring" is a gerund or present participle. The choice depends on the sentence structure.

What is the difference between "to acquire" and "to attain"?

"To acquire" generally means to gain possession of something, whereas "to attain" implies achieving something through effort or perseverance. For example, you might "acquire" a company, but you "attain" a goal.