I won him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I won him" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe winning a game or competition against someone, for example "I won him in the chess tournament".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Service in World War I won him American citizenship.

The New York Times - Food

But then I won him back by thanking him for what he has done.

The New Yorker

"I won him in a lawsuit," said Buddy Ebsen, a star of the show, who performed with Mr. Manners years later at trade shows and banquets.

The New York Times

And then he just saw this transformation and I won him over, and then once he was won over, then all the other people that I really dealt with fell into place.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

All That Is won him a Windham Campbell award for fiction in 2013 and the $150,000 prize at last gave him a measure of financial security.

The Guardian - Books

And I had nodded agreeably, feeling I had won him; my own garage wasn't that great, but whatever.

The New Yorker

"I promised I would win him the MVP," Kemp said.

Los Angeles Times

I lost to him a few weeks ago in Canada but I won against him a few times in a row before that.

BBC

I won with him every title in my life.

Independent

"When I won on him here as a three-year-old I thought he was a Melbourne Cup horse.

Independent

"I won against him a couple of times in Masters Series finals – when I won my first Masters Series in Cincinnati, that was a big win for me".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "I won him" when you want to emphasize a direct competition or contest where you were the victor. Ensure the context clearly indicates what was won.

Common error

Avoid using "I won him" in situations where the victory is not clearly defined or quantifiable. This phrase implies a direct competition or struggle. Also avoid using this phrase in more formal context, since it can sound colloquial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I won him" functions as a declarative statement indicating the speaker's victory over another individual in some form of competition or contest. Ludwig shows many examples in which the phrase is correctly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I won him" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express victory over someone in a competition. Ludwig AI confirms this with several real-world examples from reputable sources. While acceptable in many contexts, it is advisable to consider the formality of the situation and choose alternative phrasings like "I defeated him" for more formal settings. Be mindful of the specific meaning and avoid confusing it with phrases like "I won him over". Based on usage patterns and example sentences, Ludwig considers the phrase to be generally appropriate and informative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was the winner against him

A more direct and simple way of stating victory.

I defeated him

Uses "defeated" instead of "won", indicating a more decisive victory.

I triumphed over him

Emphasizes a more significant victory or overcoming a challenge.

I was victorious against him

A more formal way of expressing victory.

I prevailed over him

Similar to "triumphed", suggesting a hard-fought victory.

I conquered him

Implies a complete and dominant victory.

I emerged victorious over him

It's a formal alternative, emphasizing the final result after some effort

I overcame him

Focuses on overcoming an obstacle, with the person being the obstacle.

I got the better of him

A more colloquial way of saying "I won".

I came out on top against him

Highlights the outcome of being in a superior position.

FAQs

What does "I won him" mean?

The phrase "I won him" means that in a competition, game, or contest, the speaker was victorious over the other person.

Is it appropriate to use "I won him" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "I won him" is more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "I defeated him" or "I triumphed over him".

Can I use "I won him over" instead of "I won him"?

No, "I won him over" has a different meaning. It implies that you persuaded someone to agree with you or to like you. "I won him" suggests victory in a competition.

What are some alternatives to "I won him" in a sports context?

In a sports context, you can use phrases like "I beat him", "I defeated him", or "I triumphed over him" to describe winning against an opponent.