gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "gain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a beneficial thing or situation someone obtains, such as an increase in money or knowledge. For example, "Her new business venture resulted in a significant gain of wealth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The allegation that he changed addresses for personal gain is untrue.

The Guardian

Quinnipiac has Obama in the lead 51-46 in Virginia and Marist has Romney in the lead 48-47, with a three-point gain from last week.

The Guardian

"Even though Mr Sajid said he didn't commit to a time limit, we are seeking to gain a relationship.

The Guardian

Some assets will lose value, but others will gain value, like solar and wind power and land for biomass production".

The Guardian

In the British Muslim community, by no means homogenous, Warsi should gain some support for putting her job where her mouth is over the distress of Gaza.

The Guardian

Colleagues discussed possible collaborations simply for the interest of the ideas and the difference that they would make in the social world rather than what they would gain from collaborating.

The Guardian

The home side will need to start well with Wales by some way the strongest finishers in the tournament in recent years, but the Lions pain of O'Driscoll and Heaslip should mutate into gain.

The Guardian - Sport

A study in the New England Journal on maintaining weight loss in 314 successful dieters (who had lost an average of 19.3kg in the past two years) found that those who weighed themselves daily were less likely to gain 2.3kg or more over the next 18 months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In South Belfast, Alex Maskey, the city's first Sinn Féin lord mayor, looked likely to be elected, and republicans could also gain seats in North Belfast, Newry/Armagh, North Antrim, and possibly South Antrim.

The Guardian

Though devastating for the dinosaurs, the asteroid strike cleared the way for other animals to gain ground and thrive on the planet.

The Guardian

LD 29.4%, Labour 28.7%, Con 22.9%, Green 14.9% Seats where Labour could gain off the Tories: Hastings and Rye Conservative majority 1,993 20100).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it about general acquisition, achievement through effort, or obtaining a specific advantage? Choose synonyms accordingly.

Common error

While "gain" is versatile, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "achieve", "obtain", or "secure" to add depth and precision to your expression.

Linguistic Context

The word "gain" functions primarily as a verb to denote the act of acquiring or obtaining something. It also operates as a noun, referring to the benefit or advantage acquired. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "gain" is a versatile term used to denote the act of acquiring or obtaining something beneficial. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions both as a verb and a noun and is appropriate for various contexts. While the word is frequently used in diverse registers, the writing guidance suggests varying vocabulary to prevent repetition. The provided examples from Ludwig offer insight into its typical usage, illustrating its prevalence in news, business and scientific domains. The most authoritative sources using this term include The Guardian, The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire

Focuses more on the process of coming to possess something.

obtain

Emphasizes the act of getting or securing something, often through effort.

attain

Suggests achieving something after a period of effort or striving.

achieve

Highlights the successful completion of something through hard work.

secure

Implies obtaining something with a sense of certainty or protection.

earn

Specifically refers to acquiring something through effort or labor.

procure

Suggests obtaining something, often with difficulty or care.

derive

Highlights obtaining something as a result or consequence of something else.

reap

Refers to gaining something as a result of previous actions or investments.

capture

Suggests gaining something quickly or decisively, often implying competition.

FAQs

How can I use "gain" in a sentence?

You can use "gain" to indicate obtaining something beneficial, such as "to "gain experience"", "to "gain knowledge"", or "to "gain support"".

What are some alternatives to the word "gain"?

Alternatives to "gain" include "acquire", "obtain", "attain", and "achieve", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "gain knowledge" or "gain a knowledge"?

"Gain knowledge" is generally preferred, as "knowledge" is typically used as an uncountable noun. However, "gain a knowledge of" is also correct when specifying a particular area of knowledge.

What's the difference between "gain" and "profit"?

"Gain" is a general term for acquiring something, while "profit" specifically refers to financial gain or benefit. You might "gain experience" in a job, but you would "make a profit" from a business venture.