What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
acquire
Example
I acquired a new car last week. [acquired: past tense]
Example
She acquired a lot of knowledge during her time in college. [acquired: verb]
gain
Example
He gained a lot of respect from his colleagues for his hard work. [gained: past tense]
Example
The company gained a significant market share after launching their new product. [gained: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gain is more commonly used than acquire in everyday language. Gain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while acquire is less common and often used in more specific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between acquire and gain?
While acquire is typically associated with a more formal or business-like tone, gain can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.
