verb · academic

obtain

/əbˈteɪn/ob·TAIN

Band 7+speakingtask2

to get something, especially by effort or as the result of a process

Examples

The researchers obtained the raw data from questionnaires and interviews.

Permission to use the archives was obtained after a formal request.

Many studies obtain contradictory results because of small samples.

Band 8 sentence

The team obtained comprehensive datasets through a combination of archival research and structured interviews.

Collocations

  • obtain data/results/information
  • obtain permission/consent

Word family

obtainable adjobtained adj / v (past)obtainment noun (formal, rare)

Common mistakes

This study obtain useful information.This study obtains useful information.

I obtained many informations from the survey.I obtained much information from the survey.

We get permission from the authority.We obtained permission from the authority.

Say it for a higher band

5get6gain7+obtain

Synonyms

get

gain

Easily confused

get

She got the grant after submitting a detailed proposal.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Sublist 4

Learn it with its set