for selfish gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for selfish gain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone is acting out of personal benefit, without considering how it affects anyone else. For example, "The CEO fired employees for selfish gain, hoping to increase his own bonus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Don't abuse power for selfish gain, don't seek special privileges".

The New York Times

President Xi Jinping of China said in a speech over the weekend at the Boao Forum that "no one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gain".

The New York Times

Mr. Xi's statement Friday followed another clear message delivered in April, when he said that "no one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gain".

The New York Times

"No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gain," Mr. Xi said in a speech at an annual regional business forum in Boao, China.

The New York Times

Grehan told the judge that his client was not acting for selfish gain, but insisted he was trying to save the bank, which at the time was "facing annihilation".

The Guardian - Business

In an indirect but clear criticism of China's longtime ally, North Korea, Xi Jinping, China's new president, said in a speech on Sunday that no country in Asia "should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gain".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As President Xi Jinping of China stated earlier this month, "No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gains".

The New York Times

He did not mention the state by name, but said in a speech to business leaders that no country should be able "to throw the region, or even the entire world, into chaos for selfish gains".

The Guardian

The second is villain Amora the Enchantress; a sorceress who only ever uses her powers for selfish gains, and whose beauty is utilised to seduce men into her service, which seems the more likely role for Blanchett's mesmerising screen presence.

Independent

China's leader Xi Jinping said no country could be allowed to throw the region "into chaos for selfish gains".

BBC

Battelle raises a good point about the risk of Facebook using all it knows about us for selfish gains, but I don't see how reporting quarterly numbers suddenly makes that go away.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for selfish gain", ensure the context clearly demonstrates that the actions benefit one party at the expense of others or disregard their well-being. This adds impact and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for selfish gain" when describing actions that are simply self-interested but do not inherently harm others. Using a more neutral term like "for personal benefit" may be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for selfish gain" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the motive behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage and notes its prevalence in describing situations where personal benefit is prioritized over ethical considerations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

16%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for selfish gain" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe actions motivated by personal benefit, often at the expense of others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its function as an adverbial phrase used to express criticism or disapproval. While not extremely common, it appears primarily in News & Media contexts to highlight unethical actions. When writing, remember to use this phrase when the actions benefit one at the expense of others and a negative tone is desired. Otherwise, consider using more neutral alternatives like "for personal benefit".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for personal benefit

Focuses on the advantage to the individual, similar to "for selfish gain" but less critical.

for one's own advantage

Highlights the pursuit of a favorable outcome for oneself.

for self-interest

Emphasizes that actions are driven by what benefits the individual.

for private profit

Specifically refers to financial or material benefits.

for mercenary purposes

Implies that actions are solely motivated by financial reward and a willingness to do anything for it.

to feather one's nest

An idiomatic expression meaning to enrich oneself, often at the expense of others.

for ulterior motives

Suggests a hidden agenda of self-benefit behind seemingly innocent actions.

in pursuit of self-gratification

Highlights the desire for personal pleasure and satisfaction.

to serve one's own interests

A more formal way of saying that actions are intended to help oneself.

with a Machiavellian approach

Implies ruthlessly exploiting others for personal advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "for selfish gain" in a sentence?

Use "for selfish gain" to describe actions where someone benefits personally while disregarding or harming others. For example, "The politician manipulated the system "for selfish gain"."

What are some alternatives to "for selfish gain"?

Alternatives include "for personal benefit", "for one's own advantage", or "for self-interest". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "for selfish gain" and "for personal gain"?

"For selfish gain" carries a stronger negative connotation, implying that the benefit is achieved at the expense of others. "For personal gain" is more neutral and simply indicates that the action benefits the individual, but not necessarily at the cost of anyone else.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "for selfish gain"?

It is appropriate to use "for selfish gain" when you want to emphasize the unethical or exploitative nature of an action. For example, using insider information "for private profit" constitutes acting "for selfish gain".