coming in second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coming in second" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe finishing in second place in a competition or ranking. For example, "She was proud of coming in second in the marathon." Alternative expressions include "finishing second" and "placing second."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not surprisingly, In-N-Out Burger placominggh, coming in second.

Huffington Post

But he kept coming in second.

The New York Times - Magazine

Coming in second had its advantages.

The New York Times

"Coming in second is not an option.

The New York Times - Sports

Coming in second was not an option.

The New York Times - Health

She added, "Coming in second would be a major win".

The New York Times

"They give you delegates for coming in second".

The New York Times

Time will tell what other changes follow, but Americans are not noted for coming in second.

The New York Times - Sports

At 12, he entered a local talent contest, coming in second.

The New York Times

Acura topped all Premium brands, with Infiniti coming in second and Audi third.

The New York Times

Mr Turner again finds itself the frontrunner, with The Imitation Game gang coming in second.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "coming in second", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is second to, providing a reference point for comparison. For example, "The team, "coming in second" in the national competition, celebrated their achievement."

Common error

Avoid using "coming in second" in contexts where winning is the only acceptable outcome. For instance, in highly competitive scenarios where only first place matters, emphasize the drive for victory rather than acknowledging the possibility of "coming in second".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming in second" functions primarily as a participial phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates the action of achieving the second position in a ranked order. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "coming in second" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe finishing in the second position of a competition or ranking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it signifies near victory, the implications can vary depending on the situation; it can represent a significant achievement or a slight disappointment. Related phrases such as "finishing as runner-up" or "placing second" offer alternative ways to express the same idea. When writing, it's important to consider the specific context and whether the focus should be on the accomplishment or the missed opportunity for first place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

placing second

A more concise way of stating the achieved rank.

taking second place

Highlights the act of obtaining the second position.

ranking second

A straightforward alternative for indicating position in a list or competition.

finishing as runner-up

Emphasizes the completion of the event and the position as the second-best.

achieving second rank

Focuses on the accomplishment of reaching that specific rank.

securing the second spot

Implies effort in obtaining the second position.

attaining the second position

Highlights the process of reaching the second position.

ending up in second position

Describes the final outcome of an event.

getting the silver medal

Specifically references the award for second place in a competition.

being the second best

Focuses on the quality of performance relative to others.

FAQs

What does "coming in second" mean?

The phrase "coming in second" means finishing in the second position in a competition, ranking, or any kind of ordered list. It implies that someone or something was outperformed by one other entity but still achieved a relatively high ranking.

What can I say instead of "coming in second"?

You can use alternatives like "finishing as runner-up", "placing second", or "taking second place" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to say someone is "coming in second"?

Not necessarily. While winning is often the ultimate goal, "coming in second" can still represent a significant achievement, especially in highly competitive fields. The connotation depends on the specific context and expectations.

How to use "coming in second" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team ended up "coming in second" in the championship game." Another example: "The new product had a strong launch, "coming in second" only to the market leader."