to obtain that

USAGE SUMMARY

"to obtain that" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something needs to be acquired or achieved. For example, "He worked hard to obtain that promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She failed to obtain that unity.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the ideal opportunity to obtain that price".

The Guardian

We were unable to obtain that kind of information, however.

The New York Times - Tech

But some experts say that it is difficult for doctors to obtain that level of training.

The New York Times

Only the thinnest of layers to obtain that satin chatoyancy, that liminal reflet.

The New Yorker

But there are not many places to obtain that reward in the microfinance world.

The New Yorker

Failure to obtain that information exposed the bank to potentially large monetary losses.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But in order to obtain that information, I must catch and tag these giant fish.

The New York Times

At 15 years, 1 month and 27 days, that makes her the youngest woman to obtain that high status.

The New York Times

To obtain that oil, prospectors had to pay the Osage in the form of leases and royalties.

The New Yorker

As more companies and individuals put information online, there is a greater opportunity to obtain that information.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to obtain that" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort to achieve a specific outcome or acquire a particular thing. For example, "Researchers conducted numerous experiments to obtain that crucial data."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "to obtain that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "to get that" or "to receive that" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to obtain that" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically follows a main clause and indicates the reason for the action described in that clause. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, aligning with the observation that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to obtain that" is a versatile and frequently used expression for indicating purpose. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and finds common usage across diverse writing styles, most prominently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While alternatives like "to get that" or "to acquire that" might suit informal settings, "to obtain that" offers a clear and often more formal way to specify the intended outcome or objective behind an action. Therefore, its considered use will improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to acquire that

Focuses on gaining possession or control of something.

to achieve that

Emphasizes the successful completion of a goal or objective.

to secure that

Implies making something safe or certain to get.

to get that

A more informal way of saying "to obtain that".

to gain that

Focuses on the process of acquiring or earning something.

in order to get that

Adds emphasis on purpose or intention.

so as to obtain that

A more formal alternative to "in order to get that".

with the aim of obtaining that

Highlights the intention or goal behind the action.

for the purpose of obtaining that

A formal way of stating the reason for an action.

to procure that

Implies obtaining something with effort or care.

FAQs

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

You can use "to obtain that" to express the purpose of an action, such as "She studied diligently "to obtain that" scholarship" or "The company invested heavily "to obtain that" competitive advantage".

What are some alternatives to "to obtain that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to acquire that", "to get that", "to achieve that", or "to secure that".

Is it more formal to say "to obtain that" or "to get that"?

"To obtain that" is generally considered more formal than "to get that". Use ""to obtain that"" in professional or academic writing and "to get that" in more casual settings.

When is it appropriate to use "in order to obtain that" instead of just "to obtain that"?

Using "in order to "to obtain that"" adds emphasis to the purpose or intention. While ""to obtain that"" is perfectly acceptable, "in order "to obtain that"" makes the purpose more explicit.