to be acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be acquired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the process of obtaining or gaining possession of something, often in business or legal settings. Example: "The company is looking for new assets to be acquired in the upcoming fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Salomon survived, eventually to be acquired.

The New York Times

Sprint agreed to be acquired by MCI Worldcom last October.

The New York Times

Is T-Mobile still positioning itself to be acquired?

The New York Times

The plan of arrangement by which BCE is to be acquired is not fair and reasonable.

The New York Times

"She's just not in it to be acquired," one of these people said.

The Guardian - Tech

"We think every Blue plan has to decide for itself" if it wants to be acquired.

The New York Times

Teleport agreed to be acquired by AT&T in 1998 for $11.3 billion.

The New York Times

MFS agreed to be acquired by WorldCom in 1996 for about $12 billion.

The New York Times

The legislation does not identify the plots of land to be acquired.

The New York Times

Bestfoods, to be acquired by Unilever, matched Wall Street profit estimates.

The New York Times

I asked Chicago why she thought it took so long for the work to be acquired.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be acquired", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the acquiring. Providing this information avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "to be acquired" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The company is to be acquired by them", use "They will acquire the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be acquired" functions as an infinitive phrase in the passive voice. It typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an action (acquisition) performed by an external agent. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in business and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be acquired" is a common infinitive phrase used to describe an entity undergoing a change in ownership, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound, and frequently appears in business, news, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the acquiring party and avoid using it when an active voice construction would be more direct. Remember, understanding the passive voice is crucial for effective communication, and choosing the right words, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples, is key to clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be obtained

Focuses on the act of gaining possession, rather than specifically through acquisition.

to be attained

Emphasizes the achievement of reaching a certain state or level.

to be procured

Highlights the effort and process of securing something, often through formal means.

to be secured

Stresses the aspect of making something safe or certain to obtain.

subject to acquisition

Indicates that something is in the process or is likely to be acquired.

likely to be acquired

Expresses a probability or expectation of being acquired.

available for acquisition

Focuses on the readiness or suitability for being acquired.

up for acquisition

Informal way to indicate something is being offered for purchase.

in the process of being acquired

Highlights the ongoing nature of the acquisition.

targeted for acquisition

Indicates that something is specifically being sought after for acquisition.

FAQs

How can I use "to be acquired" in a sentence?

You can use "to be acquired" to describe a situation where one entity is taking over another. For example: "The company is expected "to be acquired" by a larger corporation next quarter".

What are some alternatives to "to be acquired"?

Some alternatives include "to be obtained", "to be procured", or "subject to acquisition". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "acquired"?

While "to be acquired" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "Company X acquired Company Y") often results in a more direct and concise sentence.

What does it mean when a company is "to be acquired"?

It signifies that the company is in the process of being bought or taken over by another entity. This usually involves transferring ownership and control to the acquiring company.