Definitions
- Referring to obtaining something through effort or action. - Talking about gaining possession of something through purchase, trade, or exchange. - Describing the process of obtaining knowledge or skills through learning or experience.
- Referring to getting something through effort or action. - Talking about gaining possession of something through legal means or authority. - Describing the process of receiving something as a result of a request or agreement.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to getting something.
- 2Both words involve some form of effort or action.
- 3Both words can be used in formal and informal contexts.
- 4Both words can be used in various tenses and forms.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Acquire is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts than obtain.
- 2Connotation: Acquire can have a positive or neutral connotation, while obtain can have a more formal or legal connotation.
- 3Authority: Obtain often implies obtaining something through legal or official means, while acquire does not necessarily have this connotation.
- 4Effort: Acquire may imply more effort or action on the part of the person acquiring something, while obtain may imply less effort or action.
- 5Possession: Acquire may imply gaining possession of something permanently, while obtain may imply gaining possession temporarily or for a specific purpose.
Remember this!
Acquire and obtain are synonyms that both refer to getting something. However, there are differences in their usage, connotation, authority, effort, and possession. Acquire is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, while obtain often implies obtaining something through legal or official means. Acquire may also imply more effort or action on the part of the person acquiring something, while obtain may imply less effort or action.
