advantage of someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advantage of someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how someone benefits from a situation or the actions of another person. Example: "She took advantage of her friend's expertise to improve her own skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

He saw a vulnerable person and took advantage of someone who was a child and it was awful.

The Guardian

The investigators "took full advantage of someone who had no idea of the danger of the situation," Mr. Soffar said recently from death row.

The New York Times

For both, failing to calculate the price of every move in life was a character flaw; not taking advantage of someone else was a sin.

The New Yorker

The fear behind the law — that a rich tycoon could take advantage of someone desperately poor and persuade that person to sell an organ for a pittance — is understandable.

The New York Times

This is a legal matter: taking sexual advantage of someone who has been rendered "mentally incapacitated" (the language in some states) or "physically helpless" (the language in others) or "too intoxicated to consent" (in still others) is rape.

The New Yorker

"He was in a position of power … and took advantage of someone who wasn't mentally stable," said Buckmaster, adding that her past abuse made her vulnerable to his advances.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

My two favorites -- "Travellers Must Be Content" and "Acceptance of Their Ways," positioned in the center of the 338-page book -- are variations on the same taking-advantage-of-someone-else's-temporary-generosity theme.

Huffington Post

At that moment, while reading The New England Journal, Wood had the advantages of someone looking at a familiar fact with a fresh perspective.

The New Yorker

"The advantage of seeing someone is that you can confirm you're treating the correct side and the correct canal.

Harvard University

It means you've been taken advantage of by someone you trusted, even while he was filming your "intimate moment".

Independent

The ballpark that went by that name may not have been the finest, but it had the advantage of honoring someone who did something that was actually useful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advantage of someone", be mindful of the ethical implications. Ensure the context clarifies whether the 'advantage' is fair and justifiable or exploitative.

Common error

Avoid using "advantage of someone" when you simply mean 'help' or 'support'. The phrase often carries a connotation of exploitation, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advantage of someone" functions as a prepositional phrase often used within a larger verb phrase. It typically follows verbs like "take", "gain", or "profit", indicating an action related to exploiting or leveraging another person's circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "advantage of someone" is a common expression used to describe the act of leveraging another person's situation, resources, or vulnerabilities for personal gain. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across varied contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to be aware of the ethical implications associated with the phrase, as it often carries a negative connotation of exploitation. Alternatives like "benefit from someone" or "capitalize on someone's skills" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning and the ethical dimensions of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Take advantage

A broader term that may not always imply malicious intent, but still indicates leveraging a situation or person.

Use someone to one's benefit

Clearly states the intention of gaining something from another person.

Exploit someone

Focuses more directly on the act of using someone unfairly for personal gain.

Benefit from someone's efforts

Highlights gaining from the hard work or initiatives of someone.

Capitalize on someone

Implies turning someone's qualities or situation into an advantage.

Leverage someone's position

Focuses on using someone's status or influence for personal advantage.

Prey on someone

Suggests targeting someone vulnerable or weak.

Manipulate someone

Highlights controlling someone to achieve a desired outcome.

Milk someone dry

Emphasizes extracting everything possible from someone, often in a negative way.

Profit from someone's misfortune

Specifically refers to gaining from another person's negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "advantage of someone" in a sentence?

You can use "advantage of someone" to describe situations where one party benefits, sometimes unfairly, from another's vulnerability or position. For example: "The scammer tried to take advantage of the elderly woman."

What's the difference between "take advantage of" and "benefit from"?

"Take advantage of" often implies exploitation, while "benefit from" suggests a more mutual or fair gain. Using "benefit from" indicates a positive outcome for both parties involved, or at least a neutral one.

Are there situations where taking "advantage of someone" is acceptable?

While generally negative, the phrase can be used neutrally when describing leveraging someone's skills or resources, if done ethically. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid misunderstandings.

What are some less negative ways to say someone benefited from another?

Instead of "take advantage of someone", consider using phrases like "benefit from someone"'s expertise, "capitalize on someone's skills", or "utilize someone's talents", which have more positive connotations.