Aquire or Acquire: Correct Spelling Tips

Today, we have a new addition to our frequently misspelled words list, and it comes from the interplay between the spelling “aquire” vs. “acquire.” What is the correct way to write the word which means “to get or obtain,” and how can we remember it? Read on to find out!

By way of background, my name is Ms. Marshall and I’ve been an English teacher since 2003. I’m also an artist, and hand-draw each and every illustration on this site – including our “definately vs. definitely” lesson! On to today’s tutorial…

Aquire

The good news is there is a simple answer to this spelling quandary: The “word” aquire isn’t a word at all! It’s just a common misspelling of the correct version, which is “acquire,” with a “c” after the “a.”

That’s right – “aquire” doesn’t exist, and should be thrown in the trash along with “peices.” You can toss “aquisition,” “aquired,” “aquires, and “aquiring” in there, too, as they’re all just variants of the erroneous spelling.

Spell Acquire

So, how do we remember the correct way to spell acquire? Allow the above illustration to assist (similar to our “Fourty or Forty” trick): Just visualize seeing that forlorn “C” saying, “Don’t forget to acquire me, the ‘C!’”

You can also remember that the definition of “acquire” is “to get or obtain,” and if you gaze at the word, you’ll see that the “c” looks like two arms reaching out to grab – or acquire – the “q.” If you leave that out and write “aquire” instead, there are no grabbing lines. (Our “lens or lense” visual similarly used the curves of the letters as a memory device.)

Aquire or Acquire, in Sum

I hope this article and my illustrations will help you remember that aquire is imaginary and shouldn’t be used, and acquire is the champion of correctness between the two. What should I draw and explain next, besides “Aww vs. Awe?” Do share!

Want more? See my lesson on “Beleive vs. Believe…”