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B2 noun #4,000 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

acquisition

Top 4,000

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Erklärung acquisition in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'acquisition' is a very difficult word. You don't need to use it. Instead, you can use the word 'get' or 'buy'. For example, if you get a new book, that is like an acquisition. If you start to learn a few words in English, you are beginning the process of acquisition. Think of it as 'taking something and making it yours'. It is formal, so you will see it in big buildings like museums or in very serious books. At this level, just remember that it means 'getting something important'. You might see it on a sign in a museum that says 'New Acquisition', which means they have a new piece of art. It is a long word, so take it slow: ac-qui-si-tion. It is a noun, which means it is a thing or a process. You can't 'acquisition' something (that would be the verb 'acquire'), but you can *make* an acquisition. For now, focus on simpler words, but keep this one in the back of your mind for when you read business news or visit a gallery. It is a very 'grown-up' word for getting things.

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At the A2 level, you might start to see 'acquisition' in reading passages about business or learning. It is a more formal way to say 'getting' or 'buying'. For example, 'The acquisition of a new company' means one company bought another. In school, you might hear about 'language acquisition', which is how you learned your first language as a baby. You didn't study books; you just 'acquired' it by listening. This is a good word to know because it shows you have a larger vocabulary. Instead of always saying 'buying', you can use 'acquisition' when talking about important things. It is often used with the word 'of'. For example: 'The acquisition of knowledge' or 'The acquisition of a car'. Remember, it is a noun. The verb is 'acquire'. If you acquire a skill, the process is called acquisition. It is a common word in news reports about famous people buying expensive things or big companies merging together. Try to recognize it when you read, even if you don't use it in your own speaking yet.

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At the B1 level, 'acquisition' becomes a useful word for discussing more complex topics like business, education, and hobbies. You should understand that it refers to both the *process* of gaining something and the *thing* that is gained. For instance, in a professional setting, you might talk about 'talent acquisition' when discussing how a company finds new employees. In an academic setting, you might read about 'skill acquisition' in a physical education class. It is more formal than 'purchase' or 'gain'. You will often see it in phrases like 'the acquisition of wealth' or 'the acquisition of property'. It's important to notice that we use it for things that take effort or time. You wouldn't usually say 'the acquisition of a snack', but you would say 'the acquisition of a rare painting'. Start trying to use this word in your writing when you want to sound more professional. It is a key term for anyone interested in business or academic studies. Pay attention to how it is used in the plural ('acquisitions') when referring to multiple items added to a collection, like in a library or a museum.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'acquisition' correctly in various contexts, especially in formal writing and business English. You should be comfortable with the term 'Mergers and Acquisitions' (M&A) and understand its significance in the corporate world. You should also understand the linguistic distinction between 'language acquisition' (natural) and 'language learning' (formal study). At this level, you can use 'acquisition' to describe the gathering of data, the gaining of power, or the addition of items to a collection. You should be aware of collocations like 'hostile acquisition', 'strategic acquisition', and 'data acquisition'. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its formality; you wouldn't use it in a casual conversation about shopping, but you would use it in a presentation about company growth or a paper on educational psychology. You should also be able to use the related adjective 'acquisitive' to describe a person or society that is very interested in gaining money or possessions. Mastery of this word at B2 shows that you can handle the nuance of professional and academic English.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'acquisition' should be nuanced and precise. You should be able to use it to describe abstract concepts like 'the acquisition of cultural norms' or 'the acquisition of a specific dialect'. You should understand its legal and financial implications in depth, such as the difference between an asset acquisition and a stock acquisition. In academic writing, you should be able to discuss 'acquisition' within the framework of various theories, such as Krashen's Input Hypothesis in second language acquisition. You should also be familiar with more specialized uses, such as 'target acquisition' in a military or sensing context, or 'signal acquisition' in engineering. Your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'procurement', 'attainment', and 'accession', and you should be able to choose the most appropriate one based on the register and specific domain. At this level, 'acquisition' is not just a word for 'getting'; it is a term that carries weight and implies a specific type of formal or structured process. You should also be able to use it metaphorically or in more complex sentence structures without hesitation.

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At the C2 level, 'acquisition' is a fundamental part of your professional and academic lexicon. You use it with total precision, distinguishing between the myriad of contexts in which it appears. You might discuss the 'acquisition' of power in a political science critique, the 'acquisition' of traits in an evolutionary biology paper, or the 'acquisition' of a company in a high-level financial analysis. You are aware of the subtle connotations the word carries—for example, how 'acquisitive' can have a slightly negative, greedy connotation in certain literary contexts. You can effortlessly navigate the jargon of 'Mergers and Acquisitions', understanding the complexities of due diligence and integration that follow an acquisition. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You might even use it in a self-reflective or philosophical way, discussing the 'acquisition of wisdom' over a lifetime. You understand the historical etymology from the Latin 'acquisitio' and how that has shaped its modern usage across multiple disciplines. At this level, the word is a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal, used to convey complex ideas about possession, growth, and learning with absolute clarity.

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Acquisition is a formal noun meaning the act of getting or buying something significant, like a company, a rare object, or a new skill.
In business, it refers specifically to one company buying another; in linguistics, it refers to the natural process of picking up a language.
It can be used as an uncountable noun for a process or a countable noun for a specific item that has been gained.
Commonly found in professional, academic, and news contexts, it is a more sophisticated alternative to words like 'purchase' or 'gain'.

The term acquisition is a powerful noun that describes the act of gaining possession of something or the process by which one learns or develops a skill, habit, or quality. It is not merely about 'getting' something; it implies a process of integration, whether that is a company integrating a smaller firm or a brain integrating the rules of a new language. In the business world, an acquisition is a strategic move where one company purchases most or all of another company's shares to gain control of it. In linguistics, 'language acquisition' refers to the subconscious process of picking up a language through immersion and meaningful communication, as opposed to 'learning,' which is the conscious study of rules.

Business Context: The takeover of one entity by another. It often involves a larger 'acquirer' and a smaller 'target' company. This is a common strategy for growth, diversification, or eliminating competition.

Linguistic Context: The process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language, as well as to produce and use words and sentences to communicate.

The tech giant announced the acquisition of three startups this morning to bolster its AI capabilities.

Beyond these specific fields, the word is also used in museums and libraries to refer to the addition of new items to a collection. For instance, a museum might boast about its 'latest acquisition,' which could be a rare 15th-century painting or a collection of historical letters. In daily life, while less common, you might hear someone refer to a new purchase as a 'prized acquisition,' though this carries a slightly more formal or even humorous tone of importance. The nuance of the word always points toward the result of a deliberate effort or a significant event of gaining something valuable. Whether it is the acquisition of knowledge through years of study or the acquisition of a rival company through millions of dollars in investment, the core meaning remains the transition of something from outside to inside one's possession or understanding.

Museum Context: The process of recording and adding an object to a permanent collection, involving legal transfer of ownership and cataloging.

The museum's recent acquisition of a Monet original has tripled their visitor numbers.

First language acquisition happens naturally in early childhood without formal instruction.

The rapid acquisition of wealth can sometimes lead to social isolation.

Data acquisition is the first step in any scientific experiment.

Using 'acquisition' correctly requires understanding whether you are referring to the *process* of getting something or the *object* that was gotten. It functions as both an uncountable noun (the process) and a countable noun (the item). When talking about skills or languages, we typically use it as an uncountable noun. For example, 'The acquisition of language is a complex cognitive feat.' Here, we are discussing the abstract process. When we talk about a business deal or a new book for a library, we treat it as countable: 'This new acquisition will be shelved in the rare books section.' This distinction is vital for grammatical accuracy and natural flow in writing.

As a Process (Uncountable): Focuses on the method or journey of gaining. Common with 'knowledge', 'skills', 'data', and 'language'. Example: 'Skill acquisition takes time and practice.'

As an Object (Countable): Focuses on the thing itself that was acquired. Common in business and collecting. Example: 'The firm made two major acquisitions last year.'

The acquisition of new territory often led to conflict in ancient times.

In academic writing, 'acquisition' is often paired with adjectives like 'second-language', 'knowledge', or 'cultural'. In business, you will see it in the phrase 'Mergers and Acquisitions' (often abbreviated as M&A). If you are describing a person who has just bought something expensive or rare, you might say, 'That car is his latest acquisition.' This sounds more sophisticated than saying 'That car is the latest thing he bought.' It elevates the tone of the conversation. In a scientific context, 'data acquisition' refers to the sampling of signals that measure real-world physical conditions and converting the resulting samples into digital numeric values that can be manipulated by a computer.

Success in the modern economy depends on the constant acquisition of new digital skills.

Our company specializes in the acquisition of distressed assets.

The library's newest acquisition is a first-edition copy of 'The Great Gatsby'.

The acquisition of a foreign language requires immersion and patience.

Collocation Note: Common verbs that go with acquisition include: facilitate, accelerate, complete, announce, and manage. You 'complete an acquisition' or 'accelerate skill acquisition'.

You will encounter 'acquisition' most frequently in professional, academic, and news environments. If you watch business news channels like Bloomberg or CNBC, you will hear it daily in discussions about the stock market. Analysts might say, 'The market reacted positively to the acquisition news,' referring to one company buying another. In academic settings, particularly in psychology or education departments, professors will lecture on 'child language acquisition' or 'concept acquisition'. These are formal environments where precise terminology is preferred over general verbs. You will also see this word in legal documents, contracts, and official reports where the transfer of property or rights is being documented.

Financial News: Frequent use in reports about 'Mergers and Acquisitions' (M&A). Reporters discuss 'hostile acquisitions' or 'strategic acquisitions' to describe the nature of business deals.

Academic Journals: Used in research papers to describe how subjects learn new information. 'The acquisition of mathematical concepts in primary school students' is a typical title.

Breaking News: The pharmaceutical giant has finalized its acquisition of the biotech startup for $2 billion.

In the corporate world, the Human Resources department is often rebranded as 'Talent Acquisition' to emphasize the active and strategic nature of finding the right people for the company. This shift in language reflects a change in how companies view potential employees—not just as 'staff' to be hired, but as valuable assets to be 'acquired'. In the world of technology and computing, 'data acquisition' is a standard term for the process of collecting information from sensors or other sources. If you work in IT or engineering, you will likely use this term when discussing how a system gathers input from the environment. Lastly, in the context of government and defense, 'defense acquisition' refers to the entire process of research, development, and purchasing of military equipment and services.

Our talent acquisition team is looking for experts in blockchain technology.

The university's latest acquisition is a high-powered electron microscope.

The study focused on the acquisition of social skills in children with autism.

The acquisition of land for the new highway took several years of negotiation.

Government Usage: Used in 'land acquisition' for public projects or 'defense acquisition' for military procurement.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'acquisition' with 'learning'. While they are related, 'acquisition' implies a more natural, often subconscious process, or a formal legal transfer, whereas 'learning' is the conscious effort to gain knowledge. For example, you 'acquire' a native language as a child, but you 'learn' a second language in a classroom (though the goal is often to 'acquire' it). Another common error is using 'acquisition' for small, everyday items. Saying 'I made an acquisition of a loaf of bread' sounds unnaturally stiff and even bizarre. Reserve the word for items that are significant, rare, or part of a formal collection.

The 'Learning' vs. 'Acquisition' Trap: Mistake: 'I am doing the acquisition of English grammar.' Better: 'I am learning English grammar.' Acquisition is the result or the natural process, not usually the daily study task.

Over-formality: Mistake: 'My acquisition of a new coffee mug was successful.' Better: 'I bought a new coffee mug.' Don't use it for trivial purchases.

Incorrect: He made an acquisition of a pencil from his friend. (Too formal for a pencil).

Grammatically, learners often struggle with the countability of the word. Remember that when referring to the *act* of gaining something, it is often uncountable: 'The acquisition of power changed him.' When referring to a specific *thing* gained, it is countable: 'The museum has several new acquisitions.' Confusing these can lead to awkward phrasing like 'The acquisitions of knowledge is important,' which should be 'The acquisition of knowledge is important.' Additionally, ensure you use the correct preposition. It is almost always 'acquisition *of*' something, not 'acquisition *to*' or 'acquisition *for*'. Finally, don't confuse 'acquisition' with 'requirement'. While both are formal nouns, 'requirement' is something you *must have*, whereas 'acquisition' is something you have *actually gained*.

Incorrect: The acquisition for the company was expensive. (Should be 'of').

Correct: The acquisition of the company was expensive.

Incorrect: She is studying the acquisitions of a new skill. (Use singular for the process).

Correct: She is studying the acquisition of a new skill.

Pronunciation Error: Some learners mispronounce the 'qui' part. It sounds like 'kwi', not 'kwee'. The full pronunciation is /ˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ən/.

While 'acquisition' is a specific term, there are several synonyms that might be more appropriate depending on the context. 'Procurement' is often used in government or large corporate settings specifically for the process of buying equipment or supplies. 'Attainment' is used when talking about reaching a goal or achieving a certain level of skill. 'Gain' is a more general term that can be a noun or a verb, often used in 'capital gains' or 'personal gain'. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the most precise word for your meaning. For example, you 'attain' a degree, you 'procure' office supplies, and you 'acquire' a company.

Acquisition vs. Procurement: Acquisition is the broad act of gaining possession. Procurement is the specific, formal process of purchasing goods or services, usually involving bidding and contracts.

Acquisition vs. Attainment: Acquisition focuses on the process of getting. Attainment focuses on the successful completion or reaching of a high standard. You 'acquire' a skill; you 'attain' mastery.

The procurement officer handled the purchase of the new fleet of trucks.

Other related words include 'merger', which is when two companies of similar size join together (unlike an acquisition where one buys the other), and 'addition', which is a very simple way to describe something new in a collection. In the context of learning, you might use 'internalization' to describe how a person makes a concept part of their own thinking. In science, 'collection' or 'gathering' might be used instead of 'data acquisition' if the process is less technical. Choosing the right synonym depends on whether you want to sound technical, formal, or casual. 'Acquisition' sits firmly in the technical and formal categories. If you are writing a business report, 'acquisition' is perfect. If you are writing a text message to a friend, it is probably too much.

The merger of the two banks created the largest financial institution in the country.

The attainment of his goals required years of sacrifice.

We are focusing on the internalization of these values within our corporate culture.

The addition of a new wing to the hospital was funded by a local donor.

Formal Alternatives: Consider: appropriation (taking something for one's own use, often without permission), accession (joining or adding to a collection), or investment.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Neutral

Informell

Child friendly

Umgangssprache

Wusstest du?

The word has been used in English since the late 14th century, originally referring to the act of gaining property.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ən/

US /ˌæk.wəˈzɪʃ.ən/

Third syllable (ac-qui-SI-tion)

Reimt sich auf

position condition petition addition ambition partition transition nutrition

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'q' as a 'k' without the 'w' sound.
Putting the stress on the second syllable.
Confusing the 'tion' ending with 'sion'.
Missing the 'c' sound at the beginning.
Over-emphasizing the second syllable 'qui'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Common in news and textbooks.

Schreiben 5/5

Requires understanding of formality and collocations.

Sprechen 5/5

Less common in casual speech, sounds very professional.

Hören 4/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 'qui' sound.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

get buy learn company skill

Als Nächstes lernen

merger procurement attainment subsidiary integration

Fortgeschritten

synergy due diligence internalization repatriation sovereignty

Wichtige Grammatik

Nouns ending in -tion are usually abstract and feminine in their Latin roots.

Acquisition, position, addition.

The preposition 'of' is almost always used after 'acquisition' to show what was gained.

Acquisition of wealth.

When used as a process, it is uncountable.

Acquisition takes time.

When used as an item, it is countable.

We have three new acquisitions.

Compound nouns can be formed by placing another noun before 'acquisition'.

Data acquisition.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

The museum has a new acquisition.

The museum has a new thing.

Noun, singular.

He likes his new acquisition.

He likes his new thing.

Noun, singular.

Is this a new acquisition?

Is this a new thing?

Question form.

The library made an acquisition.

The library got a book.

Noun, singular.

It is a rare acquisition.

It is a special thing.

Adjective + Noun.

They show the new acquisition.

They show the new thing.

Present simple.

The acquisition is big.

The thing is big.

Subject + Verb + Adjective.

I see the new acquisition.

I see the new thing.

Direct object.

Language acquisition is very interesting.

Learning a language is interesting.

Uncountable noun.

The acquisition of the company was fast.

Buying the company was fast.

Prepositional phrase 'of the company'.

She studied the acquisition of skills.

She studied how people get skills.

Noun as object.

The museum's latest acquisition is a statue.

The museum's newest thing is a statue.

Possessive form.

They announced the acquisition yesterday.

They told everyone about the buy yesterday.

Past tense verb 'announced'.

Is the acquisition of knowledge important?

Is getting knowledge important?

Interrogative sentence.

The company made two acquisitions this year.

The company bought two other companies.

Plural noun.

He is proud of his new acquisition.

He is happy about his new thing.

Adjective phrase 'proud of'.

The acquisition of wealth does not always bring happiness.

Getting a lot of money doesn't always make you happy.

Abstract noun usage.

The talent acquisition team is hiring now.

The team that finds new workers is hiring.

Compound noun usage.

Data acquisition is essential for this project.

Getting data is very important.

Subject of the sentence.

The library is focusing on the acquisition of digital books.

The library is getting more e-books.

Focusing on + noun phrase.

The acquisition of a second language takes time.

Learning another language takes a while.

Gerund-like noun phrase.

The firm's recent acquisition was very expensive.

The company's latest purchase cost a lot.

Possessive + adjective + noun.

We need to facilitate the acquisition of new technology.

We need to make getting new tech easier.

Infinitive phrase.

The acquisition of territory was a major goal.

Getting more land was a big goal.

Historical context.

The company's acquisition strategy is very aggressive.

The company's plan for buying others is bold.

Noun used as an adjective.

Linguists distinguish between learning and acquisition.

Language experts see a difference between study and natural gain.

Contrastive usage.

The acquisition of the startup will boost our market share.

Buying the small company will help us grow.

Future tense with 'will'.

The museum has strict rules for the acquisition of artifacts.

The museum has tough rules for getting old items.

Plural 'rules' for 'acquisition'.

The acquisition of new customers is our top priority.

Getting new clients is most important.

Priority + noun phrase.

He is an expert in mergers and acquisitions.

He knows a lot about companies joining or buying each other.

Fixed business phrase.

The rapid acquisition of information can be overwhelming.

Getting information too fast can be too much.

Gerund-like noun phrase.

The government's acquisition of land was controversial.

People were upset that the government took the land.

Passive-style noun phrase.

The acquisition of cultural competence is a lifelong process.

Learning to understand other cultures takes a long time.

Academic tone.

The software facilitates the seamless acquisition of data from multiple sources.

The program helps get data easily from many places.

Advanced vocabulary (seamless, multiple).

Hostile acquisitions often lead to significant restructuring.

Unwanted takeovers usually mean big changes in the company.

Specific business term.

The acquisition of these traits is governed by complex genetic factors.

Gaining these characteristics depends on genes.

Scientific context.

The university's acquisition policy has recently been revised.

The school's rules for getting things changed.

Passive voice 'been revised'.

The acquisition of nuclear weapons remains a global concern.

Countries getting nukes is a big worry.

Geopolitical context.

The study explores the acquisition of phonology in bilingual children.

The research looks at how kids who speak two languages learn sounds.

Highly specialized academic usage.

The acquisition of this property was a strategic move for the developer.

Buying this land was a smart plan for the builder.

Strategic + acquisition.

The acquisition of sovereignty was the culmination of a decade-long struggle.

Gaining independence was the end of a long fight.

Sophisticated historical context.

Critics argue that the acquisition of wealth has become an end in itself.

Some people say getting rich is now the only goal for some.

Philosophical/Critical tone.

The acquisition of such a prestigious asset significantly enhanced the firm's valuation.

Getting such a famous thing made the company worth much more.

Complex business vocabulary.

The acquisition of literacy is fundamentally linked to social mobility.

Learning to read and write is key to moving up in society.

Sociological context.

The company underwent a period of rapid acquisition, followed by consolidation.

The company bought many others quickly, then organized them.

Business cycle description.

The acquisition of these artifacts raises complex ethical questions about repatriation.

Getting these old items makes people wonder if they should go back home.

Ethical/Legal context.

The acquisition of language is viewed by some as an innate human capacity.

Some think humans are born with the ability to learn language.

Linguistic theory.

The acquisition of the patent gave the company a decisive competitive advantage.

Getting the legal rights to the invention helped the company win.

Legal/Business context.

Synonyme

procurement attainment purchase gain possession achievement

Gegenteile

loss forfeiture divestment

Häufige Kollokationen

language acquisition

mergers and acquisitions

data acquisition

talent acquisition

land acquisition

hostile acquisition

skill acquisition

knowledge acquisition

recent acquisition

strategic acquisition

Häufige Phrasen

prized acquisition

— Something very valuable that you have gained.

This rare book is my most prized acquisition.

latest acquisition

— The most recent thing someone has bought or gained.

Have you seen the library's latest acquisition?

acquisition cost

— The total price paid to get something.

The acquisition cost was higher than expected.

acquisition of power

— The process of getting political or social control.

The acquisition of power changed his personality.

acquisition of wealth

— The process of becoming rich.

He spent his life on the acquisition of wealth.

acquisition of territory

— Gaining more land, often by a country.

The war resulted in the acquisition of territory.

acquisition of habits

— The process of developing new behaviors.

The acquisition of good habits is difficult.

acquisition of property

— The legal process of buying land or buildings.

The acquisition of property requires many documents.

acquisition of rights

— Gaining legal permissions or authority.

The acquisition of rights to the music was expensive.

acquisition of a company

— The act of one business buying another.

The acquisition of the company took six months.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

acquisition vs learning

Learning is often conscious study; acquisition is often natural or subconscious.

acquisition vs procurement

Procurement is the formal process of buying; acquisition is the act of getting.

acquisition vs requirement

A requirement is something you need; an acquisition is something you have gained.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"mergers and acquisitions"

— The branch of business dealing with companies joining or buying each other.

He's a lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions.

Professional

"a prized acquisition"

— A very valuable or special item that someone has gained.

The museum's prized acquisition is a Tutankhamun artifact.

Formal

"language acquisition device"

— A theoretical mental tool that helps children learn language.

Chomsky proposed the idea of a language acquisition device.

Academic

"hostile acquisition"

— Taking over a company against the wishes of its management.

The board of directors blocked the hostile acquisition.

Business

"strategic acquisition"

— Buying a company to help achieve a long-term goal.

The acquisition was a strategic move to enter the Asian market.

Business

"asset acquisition"

— Buying specific items from a company rather than the whole company.

They opted for an asset acquisition to avoid the company's debts.

Legal/Business

"talent acquisition"

— The strategic process of finding and hiring skilled people.

Our talent acquisition strategy has improved our retention rate.

Professional

"customer acquisition cost"

— The money spent to get one new customer.

We need to lower our customer acquisition cost.

Business

"data acquisition system"

— A set of tools used to collect information from the world.

The data acquisition system failed during the test.

Technical

"knowledge acquisition"

— The formal term for learning or gathering information.

Knowledge acquisition is the main goal of the seminar.

Academic

Leicht verwechselbar

acquisition vs Acquirement

Similar spelling and meaning.

'Acquirement' usually refers to a personal skill or talent, while 'acquisition' is more general and used for objects or companies.

Singing is one of her many acquirements.

acquisition vs Accession

Both used in museums.

'Accession' is the formal act of adding to a collection; 'acquisition' is the thing itself or the process of getting it.

The museum's accession record is very detailed.

acquisition vs Appropriation

Both involve getting something.

'Appropriation' often implies taking something without permission or for a specific use.

The appropriation of the land was controversial.

acquisition vs Merger

Both involve companies joining.

A merger is two companies joining as equals; an acquisition is one buying the other.

The merger created a new corporate identity.

acquisition vs Possession

Both involve having something.

'Possession' is the state of having; 'acquisition' is the act of getting.

He is in possession of the document.

Satzmuster

The [adjective] acquisition of [noun]...

The rapid acquisition of knowledge...

[Noun] acquisition is [adjective].

Language acquisition is natural.

To facilitate the acquisition of [noun]...

To facilitate the acquisition of new skills...

A policy for the acquisition of [noun]...

A policy for the acquisition of artifacts...

Make an acquisition.

The firm made a strategic acquisition.

The culmination of [noun] acquisition.

The culmination of land acquisition took years.

His latest acquisition is [noun].

His latest acquisition is a sports car.

Distinguish between [noun] and acquisition.

Distinguish between learning and acquisition.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

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frequency

Common in professional and academic writing.

Häufige Fehler

The acquisition to the company. → The acquisition of the company.
We use the preposition 'of' to show what was acquired.
I am acquisitioning a new car. → I am acquiring a new car.
'Acquisition' is a noun. Use the verb 'acquire' for the action.
He made an acquisition of a sandwich. → He bought a sandwich.
'Acquisition' is too formal for small, everyday items.
The acquisitions of knowledge is slow. → The acquisition of knowledge is slow.
When referring to a process, use the singular form.
Child language learning happens naturally. → Child language acquisition happens naturally.
In linguistics, 'acquisition' is the correct term for natural learning.

Tipps

Use in Business

When writing about company growth, use 'acquisition' to sound professional and precise.

Job Interviews

Mention your 'skill acquisition' process to show you are a dedicated learner.

Prepositions

Always pair 'acquisition' with 'of'. 'The acquisition of [thing]' is the standard pattern.

Word Family

Learn 'acquire', 'acquisition', and 'acquisitive' together to expand your vocabulary quickly.

Elevate Tone

Replace 'buying' with 'acquisition' in formal essays to improve your academic tone.

News Context

Pay attention to business news; you will hear this word almost every time they talk about big companies.

The 'CQ' Rule

Remember the 'c' before the 'q'. It's a common spelling mistake to leave it out.

Museum Labels

Look for 'New Acquisition' signs in galleries to see the word in a real-world context.

M&A

If you are in finance, know the abbreviation M&A stands for Mergers and Acquisitions.

Natural Learning

Use 'language acquisition' to describe how you are picking up English through movies and conversation.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'A-QUI-SITION'. You are 'QUIetly' adding a 'posiTION' or 'possession' to your life.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant magnet (you/your company) pulling in a smaller metal object (the acquisition).

Word Web

Business Learning Buying Museum Skill Language Data Wealth

Herausforderung

Try to use 'acquisition' in three different contexts: business, learning, and a hobby.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin word 'acquisitio', which comes from 'acquirere'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To add to, to get in addition to what one already has.

Latin -> Old French -> Middle English.

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'acquisition' in colonial contexts, as it can refer to the forceful taking of land.

The term 'M&A' (Mergers and Acquisitions) is a very common shorthand in the US and UK financial sectors.

Chomsky's theories on language acquisition. Disney's acquisition of Marvel and Lucasfilm. The Louisiana Purchase (a famous historical acquisition).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Business

mergers and acquisitions
hostile acquisition
strategic acquisition
acquisition target

Linguistics

language acquisition
second language acquisition
natural acquisition
acquisition vs learning

Museums/Libraries

new acquisition
latest acquisition
acquisition policy
permanent acquisition

Technology

data acquisition
signal acquisition
acquisition system
high-speed acquisition

Personal Growth

acquisition of knowledge
skill acquisition
acquisition of habits
acquisition of wealth

Gesprächseinstiege

"What do you think was the most important acquisition in tech history?"

"Do you believe language acquisition is easier for children than adults?"

"What is your most prized acquisition in your personal collection?"

"How does your company handle talent acquisition?"

"Is the acquisition of wealth the most important goal in modern society?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe a skill you have acquired recently and the process of its acquisition.

Write about a 'prized acquisition' you own and why it is important to you.

Discuss the pros and cons of a large company's acquisition of a small startup.

How does the acquisition of a new language change your perspective on the world?

Reflect on the acquisition of wisdom as you get older.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, it can be both countable and uncountable. Use it as uncountable for a process ('the acquisition of knowledge') and countable for specific items ('the library has many new acquisitions').

In an acquisition, one company buys another. In a merger, two companies join together to form a new, single entity. Acquisitions are often between a large and a small company.

It is better not to. Using 'acquisition' for a cup of coffee sounds too formal and strange. Use it for important things like cars, houses, companies, or skills.

It is pronounced /ˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ən/. The stress is on the third syllable 'zish'.

It is a modern term for the HR process of finding, attracting, and hiring skilled employees for a company.

It is the process by which people, especially children, naturally learn a language without formal classroom study.

It is definitely a formal word. You will see it in business reports, academic papers, and news articles.

It is when one company tries to buy another company even though the target company's management does not want to be bought.

It is the process of collecting information from the real world (like temperature or speed) and turning it into digital data for a computer.

The verb form is 'acquire'. For example, 'The company decided to acquire its rival'.

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