to obtain knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"to obtain knowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to gain or acquire information or understanding about something. Example: "The purpose of this research project is to obtain knowledge about the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The flattening world has allowed just about anyone to obtain knowledge, and the US is now competing against similar or better rivals.

The Guardian

But a basic desire to obtain knowledge — which Tengo assumed to be a more or less natural urge in people — was lacking in the man.

The New Yorker

"Absent literacy, a child has no way to obtain knowledge, communicate with the world, or participate in the institutions and activities of citizenship," said Mark Rosenbaum, director of the opportunity under law project of Public Counsel, which is filing the lawsuit.

The Guardian

After all, no one should have to fight and compete for the opportunity to obtain knowledge.

Science Magazine

Interdisciplinary research is necessary in order to obtain knowledge about individual ion activity coefficients.

Electrochimica Acta

Several animal models exist to obtain knowledge of the role of VAP-1 in human pathologies.

EJNMMI Research

The sponges investigated are varied in material, porosity and cell density to obtain knowledge concerning dependencies.

Chemical Engineering Science

Traffic profiling is a means to obtain knowledge of the traffic behavior.

Computer Networks

Carbon nitride thin films deposited by reactive RF magnetron sputtering were studied to obtain knowledge for various applications.

Surface and Coatings Technology

For instance, one may look into and mine search logs to obtain knowledge and information on identifying user needs.

Journal of Big Data

They want to obtain knowledge and skills that are most practical and useful to them when they become engineers.

Computer-Aided Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when talking about the explicit goal of learning and understanding something new. For instance, state the actions taken to "obtain knowledge" about a specific subject.

Common error

Avoid using "to obtain knowledge" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "to learn" or "to find out" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly formal in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to obtain knowledge" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it clearly signifies the intention or goal behind an action, such as studying or researching.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to obtain knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, primarily used to express the purpose of acquiring information or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's best suited for formal and academic contexts, and less appropriate for casual conversations. While alternatives like "to gain knowledge" and "to learn" exist, "to obtain knowledge" emphasizes a direct and intentional effort. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, reflecting its formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to acquire knowledge

This alternative uses 'acquire' instead of 'obtain', suggesting a gradual accumulation of knowledge.

to gain knowledge

This alternative uses 'gain' instead of 'obtain', implying effort or advantage in getting knowledge.

to attain knowledge

This alternative uses 'attain' instead of 'obtain', suggesting achievement or reaching a certain level of knowledge.

to gather knowledge

This alternative uses 'gather' instead of 'obtain', emphasizing the collection of knowledge from various sources.

to acquire understanding

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension rather than just information.

to develop expertise

Shifts the focus to developing a high level of skill or knowledge in a particular area.

to cultivate understanding

Uses 'cultivate' instead of 'obtain', implying careful development and nurturing of understanding.

to seek knowledge

This alternative focuses on the active pursuit of knowledge.

to build up knowledge

Replaces the single action of obtaining with a gradual process of construction and accumulation of understanding.

to assimilate knowledge

Uses 'assimilate' instead of 'obtain', emphasizing the integration of knowledge into one's existing understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "to obtain knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "to obtain knowledge" to describe the process of gaining information or understanding through various means. For example, "Students attend lectures "to obtain knowledge" in their chosen fields" or "Researchers conduct experiments "to obtain knowledge" about the natural world".

What are some alternatives to "to obtain knowledge"?

Some alternatives to "to obtain knowledge" include "to acquire knowledge", "to gain knowledge", "to learn", or "to find out". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "to obtain knowledge" formal or informal?

"To obtain knowledge" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, you might prefer alternatives like "to learn" or "to get information".

What is the difference between "to obtain knowledge" and "to gain knowledge"?

While "to obtain knowledge" and "to gain knowledge" are very similar, "to obtain" implies a more direct or intentional effort to acquire information, while "to gain" can suggest a more gradual or experiential process. The choice often depends on the nuance you want to convey.