What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
acquire
Example
He acquired a new car after saving up for years. [acquired: past tense]
Example
She acquired a lot of knowledge during her time in college. [acquired: verb]
get
Example
I need to get some groceries from the store. [get: verb]
Example
He got a promotion at work after working hard for many years. [got: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Get is more commonly used than acquire in everyday language. Get is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while acquire is less common and often used in professional or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between acquire and get?
Acquire is more formal than get. Therefore, acquire is more appropriate to use in formal or professional contexts, while get is more suitable for informal or casual situations.