to acquire from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to acquire from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the source or origin from which something is obtained or received. Example: "The company aims to acquire resources from local suppliers to support its sustainability initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Someone younger, the darting Dutch winger Eljero Elia, cost €10 million to acquire from Hamburg.

The New York Times - Sports

Another alternative would be the site south of Liberty Street that the development corporation is to acquire from Deutsche Bank.

The New York Times

After all, what skills is anyone really going to acquire from a placement in a charity shop?

The Guardian - Opinion

"I just try to do my job," he said in that no-nonsense gray tone that all bureaucrats seem to acquire from some school.

The New York Times

Disney is particularly interested in ensuring favorable channel positions for all of its cable networks, including Fox Family, which it recently agreed to acquire from the News Corporation.

The New York Times

"But she also had a scarily underdeveloped understanding of the kinds of social behaviors people tend to acquire from early childhood — almost a pre-pubescent level".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Disappearing states could try to acquire territory from another state.

The New York Times

FINANCIAL TIMES Reed to Acquire Accuity Holdings | Reed Elsevier is to acquire Accuity Holdings from Investcorp for $530.1 million.

The New York Times

Answer: they would have to acquire pictures from agencies, and agencies charge".

The Guardian

Mr. Shea told how they propose to acquire players from the two existing leagues.

The New Yorker

They thought of the European élite as backward people who wanted to acquire culture from China".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required in your context. While "to acquire from" is generally suitable for formal writing, in less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "to get from" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "to acquire from" when the context implies inherent ownership or origin. This phrase is most effective when highlighting the act of obtaining something that was previously not in possession. If what you are getting already belongs to something, look for something like "extracting from" or "deriving from"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to acquire from" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the source of acquisition. It specifies where something is obtained, as seen in Ludwig examples like "to acquire skills from a placement" or "to acquire data from sensors".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to acquire from" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to precisely indicate the source of something being obtained. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in science and news media. When writing, clarity and precision are key; ensure the subject and source are explicitly stated. While generally neutral, consider more straightforward alternatives like "get from" in informal settings. By understanding its proper context and usage, you can effectively use "to acquire from" to add precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to obtain from

Replaces "acquire" with "obtain", offering a slightly more formal tone.

to receive from

Substitutes "acquire" with "receive", emphasizing the act of being given something.

to get from

Uses "get" as a less formal replacement for "acquire".

to gain from

Emphasizes the benefit or advantage obtained from the source.

to secure from

Highlights the effort or process involved in obtaining something from the source.

to derive from

Suggests that something originates or is based on the source.

to procure from

Offers a more formal alternative to "acquire", implying careful effort in obtaining something.

to collect from

Implies gathering multiple items or pieces from a source.

to extract from

Suggests carefully removing something from a source.

to appropriate from

Implies taking something, sometimes without permission, from a source.

FAQs

How can I use "to acquire from" in a sentence?

Use "to acquire from" to specify the source of something being obtained. For example: "The company plans to to acquire technology from a startup".

What are some alternatives to "to acquire from"?

You can use alternatives like "to obtain from", "to receive from", or "to get from" depending on the context.

Is "acquire from" formal?

"Acquire from" is generally considered formal. Simpler alternatives like "get from" are appropriate in informal settings.

What is the difference between "to acquire from" and "to derive from"?

"To acquire from" emphasizes the act of obtaining something, while "to derive from" suggests something originates or is based on the source. Consider: "They acquired land from the government" vs. "They derived inspiration from nature".