benefit

USAGE SUMMARY

'benefit' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to an advantage or favorable outcome that is gained due to something else. For example: "The benefit of eating healthy foods outweighs the cost of buying them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nobel, a wealthy Swedish industrialist who invented dynamite, provided few directions for how to select winners, except that the prize committees should reward those who "have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind".

The Guardian

In a speech setting out the government package to deter so-called benefit tourism, Cameron will say EU migrants can only continue to claim jobseekers allowance if they have been continuously actively seeking work and have a realistic imminent prospect of finding a job.

The Guardian

The accountant's fees were fully declared for tax purposes and he paid tax on the benefit.

The Guardian

"These people here demonstrating against it are all going to benefit from the reforms.

The Guardian

Just like British citizens, there is no absolute right to unemployment benefit".

The Guardian

It looks like housing benefit will rise far less than rents do in many areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Ahmedabad is the only city with an early warning system for heat in South Asia because they saw infants and babies die, and then put the dots together during a crisis," says Jaiswal. "Temperatures in Mumbai are already high, so we think an early warning system would benefit many, and save lives.

The Guardian

"And as we bring net migration down so we must also make sure that Britain continues to benefit from it.

The Guardian

It is also, of course, a universal rather than a means-tested benefit in an age when universal benefits are increasingly questioned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just like the Tory plans to axe housing benefit for young people," he said.

The Guardian

Her Sydney triumph showed the benefit of her fitness work and if she gets deep into the tournament, no one will want to see Kvitova on the other side of the net.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "benefit", clearly specify who or what is receiving the advantage to ensure clarity. For example, instead of just stating "it has benefits", specify "it benefits the environment".

Common error

Avoid using "benefit" passively. Instead of saying "the company was benefited by the new policy", use a stronger, more direct verb: "the new policy improved the company's performance".

Linguistic Context

The word "benefit" primarily functions as a noun, denoting an advantage or positive outcome. It can also function as a verb, meaning to receive an advantage or to provide an advantage to someone or something. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its flexible usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "benefit" is a versatile word that functions both as a noun and a verb, signifying advantage or positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, business, and scientific domains. To maximize clarity, specify who or what is gaining the "benefit". While versatile, it's essential to avoid passive constructions, such as "the company was benefited by". Instead, aim for stronger verbs to convey actions more directly. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can confidently use "benefit" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantage

Focuses on a favorable position or circumstance.

gain

Emphasizes the acquisition of something positive.

profit

Specifically relates to financial or material gain.

positive outcome

Highlights the result of an action or situation being favorable.

upside

Implies a potential positive aspect or advantage.

good

General term for something positive or advantageous.

favor

Suggests a kind action or advantageous treatment.

plus

Indicates an additional positive feature or advantage.

value

Highlights the worth or importance of something.

boon

Describes something beneficial and welcome.

FAQs

How can I use "benefit" in a sentence?

You can use "benefit" as a noun, referring to an advantage or positive result, or as a verb, meaning to receive an advantage. For instance, "The new policy provides a significant "advantage"" or "The community will "gain" from the new park".

What are some alternatives to using the word "benefit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "advantage", "gain", or "profit" to convey a similar meaning. Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it correct to say "benefited to"?

While "benefit" can be followed by a preposition, "benefited to" is not standard usage. It's more common to say "benefited from" or simply use "benefit" directly, such as "The company benefited from the new policy".

What is the difference between "benefit" and "advantage"?

"Benefit" generally refers to a positive outcome or improvement, while "advantage" implies a superior position or opportunity. A "benefit" can be a result of having an "advantage".