What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inherit
Example
She inherited the family business after her father passed away. [inherit: verb]
Example
He inherited his mother's artistic talent. [inherited: past participle]
acquire
Example
I acquired this antique vase at an auction. [acquired: past tense]
Example
She acquired fluency in Spanish through years of study and practice. [acquired: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Acquire is more commonly used than inherit in everyday language. Acquire is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inherit is less common and is often used in legal or familial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inherit and acquire?
While inherit is typically associated with legal or familial contexts and may be more formal, acquire is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
