Acquisition vs Acquire: Differences And Uses For Each One

Acquisition and acquire are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two words and when to use them properly.

Acquisition is a noun that refers to the act of acquiring or obtaining something. It can also refer to the thing that is acquired or obtained. For example, a company may make an acquisition of another company to expand its business. In this case, the acquisition refers to the purchase of the other company.

Acquire, on the other hand, is a verb that means to gain or obtain something. It is the action that leads to the acquisition. For example, a company may acquire another company to expand its business. In this case, the company is taking action to obtain the other company.

It is important to understand the difference between these two words to use them properly in writing. While they may seem similar, they have different connotations and uses. In the following sections, we will explore the nuances of acquisition and acquire and how they are used in different contexts.

Define Acquisition

Acquisition refers to the process of obtaining or gaining ownership or control of something, typically another company or business entity. This can be achieved through various means, such as purchasing the company outright, buying a controlling stake in the company, or merging with the company to form a new entity.

Acquisitions are often pursued by companies as a means of expanding their operations, increasing their market share, or gaining access to new technologies or resources. They can also be used as a defensive measure to prevent competitors from gaining a foothold in a particular market or industry.

Acquisitions can be complex and involve a range of legal, financial, and regulatory considerations. They require careful planning and due diligence to ensure that the transaction is structured in a way that maximizes value for all parties involved.

Define Acquire

Acquire, on the other hand, refers to the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something. This can refer to a wide range of objects or assets, from physical items like a piece of equipment or a piece of land, to intangible assets like intellectual property or a customer list.

Acquiring something can be a straightforward process, such as purchasing an item from a store or online retailer. It can also be more complex, such as negotiating a contract to acquire a specific piece of intellectual property or entering into a joint venture to acquire a new customer base.

Acquiring something often requires a certain level of investment, whether it is in the form of money, time, or other resources. It can also involve a degree of risk, as there is no guarantee that the acquisition will result in the desired outcome or provide the expected return on investment.

Overall, the difference between acquisition and acquire lies in the scope and complexity of the process. Acquiring something can be a relatively simple transaction, while an acquisition typically involves a more complex and strategic approach to gaining ownership or control of a company or asset.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word to use in a sentence can be tricky, especially when two words seem to have the same meaning. The words “acquisition” and “acquire” are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Here’s how to use them properly in a sentence.

How To Use “Acquisition” In A Sentence

“Acquisition” refers to the act of acquiring or gaining possession of something. It can refer to the process of acquiring a company, property, or other assets. Here are some examples of how to use “acquisition” in a sentence:

• The company made a strategic acquisition of a smaller competitor.
• The acquisition of the new property will expand our real estate portfolio.
• The museum’s latest acquisition is a rare painting by a famous artist.

As you can see, “acquisition” is typically used to describe the act of acquiring something, whether it’s a company, property, or other asset.

How To Use “Acquire” In A Sentence

“Acquire” is a verb that means to obtain or gain possession of something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from acquiring knowledge or skills to acquiring a new customer or client. Here are some examples of how to use “acquire” in a sentence:

• I want to acquire the skills necessary to advance in my career.
• The company is looking to acquire new customers in the European market.
• She was able to acquire the rare book through an online auction.

As you can see, “acquire” is typically used to describe the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something, whether it’s knowledge, skills, or a physical object.

By understanding the difference between “acquisition” and “acquire,” you can use these words properly in your writing and communication.

More Examples Of Acquisition & Acquire Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between acquisition and acquire, it can be helpful to see them used in various contexts. Here are some examples of both words used in sentences:

Examples Of Using Acquisition In A Sentence

• The acquisition of the new company will greatly expand our market share.
• Our company is currently in negotiations for the acquisition of a smaller competitor.
• The acquisition of new technology has allowed us to streamline our production process.
• After the acquisition of the rival company, we were able to increase our profits significantly.
• The acquisition of the new building will provide us with much-needed office space.
• The acquisition of the rare book collection was a major coup for the library.
• Our company’s recent acquisition of the patent will give us a competitive edge in the industry.
• The acquisition of the historic landmark was met with much fanfare from the local community.
• The acquisition of the painting was a major highlight of the auction.
• The acquisition of the new software has greatly improved our productivity.

Examples Of Using Acquire In A Sentence

• We are hoping to acquire new customers through our marketing campaign.
• After years of hard work, he was finally able to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in his field.
• She was able to acquire the antique vase at a bargain price.
• It is important to acquire as much knowledge as possible in order to make informed decisions.
• He was able to acquire a taste for spicy food after traveling to different regions of the world.
• The company is looking to acquire new talent in order to stay competitive.
• She was able to acquire a rare book that had been out of print for years.
• Acquiring a new language can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding.
• Through hard work and determination, he was able to acquire a large fortune.
• The team was able to acquire the championship trophy after a hard-fought season.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to the usage of acquisition and acquire, people often tend to use them interchangeably, which is a common mistake. It is essential to understand the distinction between the two and use them in the right context. Here are some common mistakes people make when using acquisition and acquire interchangeably:

Mistake #1: Using Acquisition As A Verb

Acquisition is a noun that refers to the process of acquiring something. It is not a verb and cannot be used in place of acquire. For instance, saying “I acquisitioned a new car” is incorrect. Instead, you should say “I acquired a new car.”

Mistake #2: Using Acquire As A Noun

Acquire is a verb that means to obtain or gain possession of something. It cannot be used as a noun. For example, saying “The acquire of the new company was successful” is incorrect. Instead, you should say “The acquisition of the new company was successful.”

Mistake #3: Using Acquire To Refer To A Company

Another common mistake is using acquire to refer to a company. Acquire is a verb that means to obtain or gain possession of something. It cannot be used as a noun to refer to a company. Instead, you should use the noun acquisition to refer to the process of acquiring a company. For example, saying “Our company made an acquire last month” is incorrect. Instead, you should say “Our company made an acquisition last month.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Always check if the word you are using is a verb or a noun before using it in a sentence.
• Use acquire as a verb and acquisition as a noun.
• If you are referring to the process of acquiring a company, use the noun acquisition instead of the verb acquire.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “acquisition” and “acquire”, context plays a crucial role. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they have subtle differences that can impact the meaning of a sentence. Understanding the context in which they are used can help determine which term is more appropriate.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Below are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “acquisition” and “acquire” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Appropriate Term
Business	The company is considering the acquisition of a new startup.	Acquisition
Personal	I want to acquire a new skill.	Acquire
Legal	The company filed for the acquisition of their competitor.	Acquisition
Real Estate	The family acquired a new property in the city.	Acquire

In a business context, “acquisition” is the more appropriate term as it refers to the process of acquiring or purchasing a company or business. On the other hand, in a personal context, “acquire” is more appropriate as it refers to the act of obtaining or learning something new.

Similarly, in legal contexts, “acquisition” is often used to refer to the process of acquiring ownership or control of a company or property, while in real estate contexts, “acquire” is more commonly used to refer to the act of obtaining a new property or asset.

It is important to consider the context in which these terms are being used in order to choose the appropriate one and convey the intended meaning clearly.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using acquisition and acquire are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. These exceptions can arise due to various factors such as context, usage, and language nuances. It is important to understand these exceptions to avoid any confusion or miscommunication.

Exceptions For Acquisition

Acquisition is typically used to refer to the process of acquiring or obtaining something. However, there are some cases where the word acquisition might not apply:

• Non-physical entities: Acquisition is often associated with physical objects such as companies, properties, or assets. However, it might not be appropriate to use the word acquisition when referring to non-physical entities such as ideas, concepts, or knowledge. In such cases, the word acquisition might be replaced with terms such as adoption, assimilation, or integration.
• Legal terminology: In legal contexts, the word acquisition might have a specific meaning that differs from its general usage. For instance, acquisition might refer to the transfer of ownership or control of a company or asset, which involves a specific set of legal procedures and requirements.
• Figurative language: In some cases, acquisition might be used figuratively to refer to a process that is not necessarily related to obtaining something. For example, one might say “I acquired a new skill” to mean that they learned or developed a skill without necessarily obtaining a physical object.

Exceptions For Acquire

Acquire is generally used as a verb to indicate the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something. However, there are some cases where the word acquire might not be appropriate:

• Passive voice: In some cases, the passive voice might be used with the word acquire to indicate that something was obtained without specifying who or what obtained it. For example, “The disease was acquired through contact with contaminated water” indicates that the disease was obtained without specifying who obtained it.
• Non-volitional actions: Acquire might not be appropriate for actions that are not voluntary or intentional. For example, one might say “I caught a cold” instead of “I acquired a cold” since catching a cold is not a voluntary action.
• Alternate meanings: Acquire might have alternate meanings depending on the context or usage. For instance, in some contexts, acquire might be used to mean “to gain knowledge or understanding” rather than “to obtain something physically.”

By understanding these exceptions, you can use acquisition and acquire more effectively and accurately in your writing and communication.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of acquisition and acquire is through practice exercises. These exercises will help you to become more familiar with the different contexts in which these words can be used, and will help you to develop a better sense of how they can be used effectively in your writing and speech.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a blank space, and you will need to choose the correct form of acquisition or acquire to fill in the blank. Choose the best answer from the options provided.

Sentence	Options
The company is planning to _______ a new office building.	acquire acquisition
She has a natural _______ for languages.	acquire acquisition
The _______ of the new business was a major accomplishment for the entrepreneur.	acquire acquisition

Answer Key:

Sentence	Answer
The company is planning to _______ a new office building.	acquire
She has a natural _______ for languages.	acquisition
The _______ of the new business was a major accomplishment for the entrepreneur.	acquisition

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a missing word or phrase, and you will need to complete the sentence using the correct form of acquisition or acquire. Write your answer in the space provided.

Example:

The _______ of knowledge is a lifelong pursuit.

Your Answer:

acquisition

Additional Sentences:

1. She was able to _______ the necessary skills through years of hard work and dedication.
2. His _______ of the company was a major milestone in his career.
3. The _______ of a new language can be challenging, but also very rewarding.

Answer Key:

1. She was able to acquire the necessary skills through years of hard work and dedication.
2. His acquisition of the company was a major milestone in his career.
3. The acquisition of a new language can be challenging, but also very rewarding.

Conclusion

After exploring the nuances of acquisition and acquire, it’s clear that these two terms are often used interchangeably, but they do have distinct differences in meaning and usage.

Key Takeaways

• Acquisition refers to the process of obtaining something, while acquire is the act of obtaining something.
• Acquisition is often used in a corporate or financial context, while acquire is more commonly used in everyday language.
• Acquisition can also refer to the process of learning or developing a skill, while acquire is more focused on obtaining a physical object or possession.
• It’s important to understand the context and usage of these terms in order to communicate effectively and accurately.

As you continue to learn about grammar and language use, it’s important to pay attention to the subtle differences between similar words and phrases. By doing so, you can improve your communication skills and avoid common mistakes.