Cool MateObtain vs Take possession of the house
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obtain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Take possession of the house
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Obtain
| Obtain | Take possession of the house | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əbˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //əbˈteɪn// | 🇬🇧 //teɪk pəˈzɛʃən əv ðə haʊs//🇺🇸 //teɪk pəˈzɛʃən əv ðə haʊs// |
| Meaning | To get or receive something. | To own or control the house. |
| Example | You need to obtain permission from the manager first. | They are ready to take possession of the house next week. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | obtain a degree, obtain funding, obtain information, obtain results, obtain consent | legally take possession, take immediate possession, take possession of property |
| Antonyms | lose, forfeit, surrender | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'obtain' with 'get', which is less formal., Using 'obtain' incorrectly with intransitive forms., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. | Confusing 'take possession of' with 'take control of'; they can have different legal implications., Using 'take possession' without specifying the object, which can lead to ambiguity., Incorrectly using with informal contexts, as it sounds too formal in casual conversations. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal and neutral contexts. Common in academic and professional language. Not typically used in casual conversation. | This phrase is typically used in legal or real estate contexts. It's suitable for formal discussions about ownership or property rights. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Obtain vs Take possession of the house
What's the difference between Obtain and Take possession of the house?
Obtain: To get or receive something. Take possession of the house: To own or control the house.
Which is more common: Obtain and Take possession of the house?
Obtain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Obtain: You need to obtain permission from the manager first. Take possession of the house: They are ready to take possession of the house next week.
Can I use Obtain and Take possession of the house interchangeably?
Not always. Obtain and Take possession of the house are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.