was acquired by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was acquired by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You use it to indicate that someone or something has become part of another person or organization. For example, "The company was acquired by a global conglomerate in 2019."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, the company was acquired by CBS.

The New York Times

Reble.FM was acquired by Playlist.com.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(Landmark was acquired by Halliburton in 1996).

The New York Times

(Aegis was acquired by Dentsu in March).

The New York Times

The site was acquired by M.C.

Encyclopedia Britannica

GitLinks was acquired by software company Infor.

Cornell University

This week Ravel was acquired by LexisNexis.

Harvard University

MapQuest was acquired by America Online in 2000.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Texaco was acquired by Chevron Corporation in 2001.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1997, BBN was acquired by GTE.

The New York Times

Interpore was acquired by Biomet in June.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was acquired by", ensure that both the acquired entity and the acquiring entity are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate to emphasize the entity being acquired. For example, instead of "Company A acquired Company B", use "Company B was acquired by Company A" when focusing on Company B.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was acquired by" functions as a passive voice construction indicating a change of ownership. It emphasizes the entity that underwent the acquisition rather than the acquiring entity. Ludwig AI confirms this common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was acquired by" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe a change in ownership, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in the passive voice, it emphasizes the entity being acquired. You'll find it most often in news reports, academic papers, and encyclopedic entries. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify both entities involved. While "was acquired by" is generally neutral to professional in tone, remember to tailor your language to the specific context. Alternatives such as "was purchased by" or "was taken over by" can offer subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was purchased by

Indicates a direct transaction where one entity bought another.

was bought out by

Indicates a purchase of all outstanding shares or a controlling interest.

was taken over by

Suggests a more forceful acquisition or a change in management control.

was merged with

Implies a joining of two entities to form a single, new entity.

was obtained by

Suggests a broader sense of gaining ownership, not necessarily through purchase.

came under the control of

Highlights a shift in authority and management.

was assimilated by

Implies absorption into a larger entity, losing its original identity.

was subsumed by

Similar to assimilated, but suggests a more complete incorporation.

was consolidated into

Indicates a merging into a larger, more unified structure.

became the property of

A formal way to state a change in ownership.

FAQs

What does "was acquired by" mean?

The phrase "was acquired by" means that a company, asset, or entity has been purchased by another company or entity, resulting in a change of ownership and control.

Which is correct, "was acquired by" or "acquired by"?

Both phrases are correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "Acquired by" is used in active voice constructions (e.g., "Company A acquired Company B"), whereas "was acquired by" is used in passive voice constructions (e.g., "Company B was acquired by Company A").

What are some alternatives to "was acquired by"?

Alternatives include "was purchased by", "was taken over by", or "was merged with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "was acquired by" in a sentence?

You can use "was acquired by" in a sentence to indicate that a company or entity has been purchased by another. For example: "The startup was acquired by a larger corporation."