Gain seats

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Gain seats" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as politics, business, or any situation where an increase in positions or opportunities is being discussed. Example: "The party aims to gain seats in the upcoming election to strengthen its influence in the legislature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Eleven parties are likely to gain seats.

The Economist

Workers would gain seats on the boards of major enterprises.

The New York Times

They may even gain seats in the Senate, where the Democrats are defending more vulnerable seats.

The Economist

Unity said that it would gain seats from the Communists and other opposition parties.

The Economist

The Republicans are poised to gain seats, but their long-term competitiveness remains a question.

The New Yorker

Cameron can argue that governing parties rarely gain seats in mid-term.

Independent

In Queensland in particular, Hanson preferences helped Labor gain seats they had almost given up on.

The Guardian

In virtually every scenario the Democrats will gain seats, though picking up nine seats seems unlikely.

The New York Times

In some cases, committees will gain seats, in others they will lose seats.

The New York Times

Ukip is widely expected to gain seats in May's European and local elections.

The Guardian

He is seeking to build his stake above 50 percent and gain seats on the company's board.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing election outcomes or political strategies, use "gain seats" to specifically refer to increasing the number of seats held by a party or individual. For broader discussions of influence or power, consider alternatives like "increase representation" or "expand influence".

Common error

Avoid using "gain seats" when you actually mean to describe an increase in general influence or power. "Gain seats" specifically refers to the number of seats held, typically in a legislative body. For example, don't say "The company gained seats in the market" if you mean "The company increased its market share."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain seats" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of a political party or group increasing its number of seats in a legislative body. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain seats" is a grammatically correct and very common expression, particularly within news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a political party or entity increasing its representation in a legislative body. While alternatives like "increase representation" or "win more seats" exist, "gain seats" is the most direct and frequently used term for this specific concept. When writing, ensure that you are indeed referring to an increase in seats, as opposed to a general increase in power or influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtain additional seats

A more formal way of saying "gain seats", suitable for official reports.

Win more seats

Suggests an active competition and victory in acquiring seats.

Increase representation

Emphasizes the act of increasing the number of representatives.

Capture additional seats

Suggests taking seats that were previously held by others.

Secure more positions

Focuses on obtaining a greater number of positions, not necessarily in a political context.

Expand influence

Highlights the growth of power or sway.

Strengthen position

Implies making an existing position more secure or powerful.

Augment presence

A more general term indicating an increase in visibility or existence.

Improve standing

Focuses on enhancing one's rank or status.

Increase holdings

Refers to increasing possessions or assets, applicable in a business or political sense.

FAQs

How to use "gain seats" in a sentence?

You can use "gain seats" to describe a political party increasing its representation in an election. For example: "The Republican Party hopes to "gain seats" in the upcoming midterm elections."

What can I say instead of "gain seats"?

You can use alternatives like "increase representation", "secure more positions", or "win more seats" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "gain seats" or "win seats"?

Both ""gain seats"" and "win seats" are correct, but ""gain seats"" is more general, while "win seats" implies a competitive situation.

What's the difference between "gain seats" and "increase representation"?

"Gain seats" specifically refers to the act of winning additional seats in a legislative body, while "increase representation" is a broader term that can refer to improving the representation of a group or interest, not necessarily through gaining seats in an election.