What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
acquisition
Example
The company announced its acquisition of a smaller startup. [acquisition: noun]
Example
She is working on the acquisition of a new language. [acquisition: gerund or present participle]
takeover
Example
The hostile takeover of the company led to significant changes in management. [takeover: noun]
Example
The new CEO took over the company and implemented several changes. [took over: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Acquisition is more commonly used than takeover in everyday language. Acquisition is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while takeover is more specific and is typically used in business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between acquisition and takeover?
Acquisition is generally associated with a formal and professional tone, while takeover can be used in both formal and informal contexts but may have negative connotations in some situations.
