ENGLISH
REFERENCE

obtained

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əbˈteɪnd// UK //ɒbtˈeɪnd// ob·tained

v. to get something, especially by making an effort or following a formal process. You use this when you finally receive something you wanted or needed.

v. to come into possession of something; to procure through effort or request. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the acquired item.


SIMPLE

I obtained a copy of the report yesterday.

CONTEXTUAL

The journalist finally obtained the documents after filing a formal request with the local government office.

COMPLEX

While the preliminary data was obtained through standard surveys, the most significant insights emerged from the longitudinal studies conducted over the subsequent decade.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It is more formal than 'get' or 'receive'.

Pitfall

The information was obtained to meI obtained the informationObtain describes the act of getting something, not the act of giving; it cannot be used like 'provided' or 'sent'.

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