we have acquired

USAGE SUMMARY

"we have acquired" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in situations where you want to indicate that you or someone else has obtained something, either through physical acquisition, purchasing, or earning it. For example: "We have acquired the new equipment needed for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course we have acquired children.

The New York Times

"We have acquired the capability to confront them," he said.

The New York Times

Almost everyone in the companies we have acquired has stayed with us.

The New York Times

Now that we have acquired the taste for it, there is apparently no slaking the human thirst for air travel.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have acquired 1 million more people in their 20s over the last decade, many of them migrant workers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"With our eye to the future, we have acquired some valuable assets that we believe strengthen our organization".

The Guardian - Sport

"We have acquired some important players; players who are good enough to play in the Champions League.

The Guardian - Sport

Their fitness, their evolution, is in our hands and, as Sir Otto Frankel put it, "we have acquired evolutionary responsibility".

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have acquired an asset for our organization," General Manager Garth Snow said in an official news release.

The New York Times

We have acquired the property and are renting it at a market rent to Mr Gibson,' said Jim Donovan, Littlewoods' communications director.

The Guardian - Business

"Once we're up and running, and when we have acquired more clients, we will scale up," says the company's founder, Francesca Miazzo.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have acquired" to clearly state that you or your organization has obtained something, whether it's knowledge, property, or a skill. Ensure the context makes it clear what has been obtained and why it is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "acquired" when a more direct verb would be clearer. For instance, instead of saying "The knowledge was acquired by us," say "We acquired the knowledge." This active construction is more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have acquired" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It indicates that a subject (in this case, "we") has come into possession of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is frequently used to express the act of obtaining objects, skills or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have acquired" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote that an entity has obtained something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news, scientific and business domains. The register is generally neutral to professional, suitable for formal communication. Alternatives like "we have obtained" or "we have gained" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use active voice for clarity and avoid misusing in overly passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have obtained

Emphasizes the process of getting or securing something, often through effort or action.

we have gained

Focuses on the benefit or advantage received as a result of acquiring something.

we have secured

Highlights the safety or certainty of having obtained something, implying a successful effort against potential loss.

we have procured

Suggests a formal or official process of obtaining something, often through purchase or requisition.

we have attained

Indicates reaching a certain level or achieving a specific goal through sustained effort or skill.

we have come to possess

A more formal way of saying "we have acquired", often used in legal or official contexts.

we now hold

Emphasizes the current state of possession, suggesting a recent acquisition.

we have assumed ownership of

Specifically refers to the transfer of ownership rights, often in a business or legal setting.

we have taken possession of

Highlights the act of taking control or physical custody of something.

we have laid hold of

A more archaic or figurative way of saying "we have acquired", suggesting a determined effort to obtain something.

FAQs

How can I use "we have acquired" in a sentence?

You can use "we have acquired" to indicate that your group or organization has obtained something. For example, "We have acquired new skills through this training program" or "We have acquired a new company to expand our market reach".

What can I say instead of "we have acquired"?

You can use alternatives like "we have obtained", "we have gained", or "we have secured" depending on the context.

Is "we have acquired" formal or informal?

"We have acquired" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for business, academic, and news contexts. More informal alternatives might include "we got" or "we picked up".

What's the difference between "we have acquired" and "we have learned"?

"We have acquired" implies gaining possession or control of something, whether it's knowledge, skills, or assets. "We have learned", on the other hand, specifically refers to gaining knowledge or understanding through study or experience. You might say "we have acquired new equipment" but "we have learned a new technique".