Cool MateAcquire vs Obtain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Acquire
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Obtain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Acquire | Obtain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkwaɪə(r)/","/əˈkwaɪəz/","/əˈkwaɪəd/","/əˈkwaɪərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkwaɪər/","/əˈkwaɪərz/","/əˈkwaɪərd/","/əˈkwaɪərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əbˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //əbˈteɪn// |
| Meaning | To get or obtain something. | To get or receive something. |
| Example | I need to acquire new skills to advance in my career. | You need to obtain permission from the manager first. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | acquire knowledge, acquire skills, acquire a taste, acquire property, acquire assets | obtain a degree, obtain funding, obtain information, obtain results, obtain consent |
| Antonyms | lose, forfeit, surrender | lose, forfeit, surrender |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'inquire' which means to ask., Misused in passive forms, forgetting to add the object., Using it as a noun instead of a verb. | Confusing 'obtain' with 'get', which is less formal., Using 'obtain' incorrectly with intransitive forms., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in formal and neutral contexts. Avoid using in casual conversations unless discussing everyday acquisitions. Often used in business or academic settings. | Used in formal and neutral contexts. Common in academic and professional language. Not typically used in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Acquire vs Obtain
What's the difference between Acquire and Obtain?
Acquire: To get or obtain something. Obtain: To get or receive something.
Are Acquire and Obtain the same CEFR level?
Acquire: B2, Obtain: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Acquire and Obtain?
Acquire: verb, Obtain: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Acquire: I need to acquire new skills to advance in my career. Obtain: You need to obtain permission from the manager first.
Can I use Acquire and Obtain interchangeably?
Not always. Acquire and Obtain 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.