---
title: acquire — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «acquire» in the school dictionary: To get or gain something, by buying it, being given it or working for it. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# acquire

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** She, Children, Tom, You, library, He · **What happens:** get, gain, buy, give, work, learn · **To what, where:** something, it, skill, company, pet rabbit, language

<!-- .vabout -->
«acquire» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [acquire in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/acquire.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To get or gain something, by buying it, being given it or working for it.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:m1:1
# text = To get or gain something, by buying it, being given it or working for it.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	get	get	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	gain	gain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
8	buying	buy	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
11	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	12	aux:pass	_	_
12	given	give	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	advcl	_	_
13	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	obj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	working	work	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	conj	_	_
16	for	for	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	15	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer something=Stimulus |
| 2 | **gain** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |
| 3 | **buy** | gerund |  | it |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Theme |
| 4 | **give** | gerund · passive |  | it |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: it=Theme |
| 5 | **work** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | for it | vn employment-95.3 «NP V PP.beneficiary»: agent=Agent for it=Beneficiary |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To learn or develop a skill, habit, knowledge or quality.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:m2:1
# text = To learn or develop a skill, habit, knowledge or quality.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	learn	learn	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	develop	develop	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	skill	skill	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
8	habit	habit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
10	knowledge	knowledge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	quality	quality	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **learn** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn learn-14-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **develop** | infinitive |  | a skill and habit and knowledge or quality |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent skill=Product |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: business — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To buy another company.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:m3:1
# text = To buy another company.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	buy	buy	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	another	another	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	4	det	_	_
4	company	company	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **buy** | to-infinitive |  | another company |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent company=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She hopes to acquire a pet rabbit.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:x1:1
# text = She hopes to acquire a pet rabbit.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	hopes	hope	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	acquire	acquire	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	pet	pet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	rabbit	rabbit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hope** | present | She |  |  |  |  |  | vn long-32.2 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 2 | **acquire** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | She *not said here* | a pet rabbit |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset rabbit=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Children acquire language by listening.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:x2:1
# text = Children acquire language by listening.
1	Children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	acquire	acquire	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	language	language	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	listening	listen	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **acquire** | present | Children | language |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent language=Theme |
| 2 | **listen** | gerund | Children *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn peer-30.3 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If Tom has 12 cards and acquires 9 more, he has 21.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:x3:1
# text = If Tom has 12 cards and acquires 9 more, he has 21.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	3	mark	_	_
2	Tom	Tom	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	advcl	_	_
4	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	cards	card	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	acquires	acquire	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
8	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
11	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
12	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
13	21	21	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | Tom | 12 cards |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent card=Patient |
| 2 | **acquire** | present | Tom *not said here* | 9 more |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset more=Theme |
| 3 | **have** | present | Tom | 21 |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent 21=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
You can acquire new skills by practising.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:x4:1
# text = You can acquire new skills by practising.
1	You	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	acquire	acquire	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	skills	skill	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	practising	practise	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **acquire** | can | You | new skills |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent skill=Theme |
| 2 | **practise** | gerund | You *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The library plans to acquire more books.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:x5:1
# text = The library plans to acquire more books.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	library	library	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	plans	plan	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	acquire	acquire	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	7	amod	_	_
7	books	book	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **plan** | present | the library |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **acquire** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | the library *not said here* | more books |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset book=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He acquired a taste for spicy food.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:x6:1
# text = He acquired a taste for spicy food.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	acquired	acquire	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	taste	taste	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	spicy	spicy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	food	food	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **acquire** | past | He | a taste |  |  |  | for spicy food | vn obtain-13.5.2-1 «NP V NP PP.asset»: agent=Agent taste=Theme for food=Asset |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It takes years to acquire great knowledge.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acquire:x7:1
# text = It takes years to acquire great knowledge.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	takes	take	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	years	year	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	acquire	acquire	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
6	great	great	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	knowledge	knowledge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | present | It |  |  |  | year |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **acquire** | to-infinitive |  | great knowledge |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset knowledge=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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