gain a monopoly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain a monopoly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the acquisition of exclusive control over a market or industry by a company or entity. Example: "The tech giant aimed to gain a monopoly in the software market by acquiring its main competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"They chose to do something irrational — lose money — in order to gain a monopoly.

The New Yorker

Instead, Jaworski says, they are simply trying to crush independents and gain a monopoly.

The New Yorker

Murdoch's interest in the Dodgers stems from his belief in the value of sports programming; many who know Murdoch's history speculate that he intends to gain a monopoly on U.S. cable and pay-TV sports programming.

The New Yorker

Albuquerque endeavoured to gain a monopoly of European spice trade for his country by sealing off all entrances and exits of the Indian Ocean competing with the Portuguese route around the Cape of Good Hope.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some feared that Bill Gates would gain a monopoly of the personal computer with the Windows operating system, but Microsoft's power is minuscule compared with the absolute lock on biological programming enjoyed by evolution's software designer.

The New York Times - Arts

According to Dr. Collins, Mr. White declared that Celera "wanted to gain a monopoly on the human genome as a database," and that "it would be difficult for a publicly supported enterprise to become complicit in that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Once Windows 98 hits the market, Microsoft's monopoly of the operating system business will result in its gaining a monopoly share in the market of Internet access.

The New York Times

In 1681 Speelman managed to establish Dutch interests in Bantam (a kingdom of extreme western Java), driving out all other foreigners and gaining a monopoly of trade.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the resulting Treaty of Bongaais the Dutch gained a monopoly of trade with, and control of, all of Macassar's possessions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, Russian experts denied that there would be any triumphalism from Moscow after the Soyuz gains a monopoly on trips into space.

The Guardian

When he died he was engaged in gaining a monopoly of the pepper of interior Sumatra, which was later sealed off securely by the fall of Portuguese Malacca in 1641.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business strategy or market competition, use "gain a monopoly" to clearly indicate the pursuit of exclusive market control. This phrase is direct and easily understood.

Common error

Be careful not to use "gain a monopoly" when a company simply achieves a dominant market share. A true monopoly implies the absence of significant competition, not just a leading position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain a monopoly" functions primarily as a verbal phrase. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, describing the action of acquiring exclusive control over a market or industry. Ludwig AI confirms this usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gain a monopoly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the act of acquiring exclusive control over a market or industry. Ludwig AI indicates its widespread usability. While the phrase is often used in a neutral register, it can carry negative connotations depending on the context. The phrase appears frequently in news media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, reflecting its relevance in discussions of business strategy and market competition. Remember to use it accurately, distinguishing true monopolies from mere market dominance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monopolize the industry

Specifically refers to gaining a monopoly across an entire industry.

establish a monopoly

Highlights the act of creating or founding a monopoly.

develop a monopoly

Suggests a gradual development towards a monopoly status.

obtain exclusive control

Stresses the attainment of exclusive power or governance.

grow into a monopoly

Emphasizes the expansion and eventual transformation into a monopoly.

secure a monopoly position

Emphasizes securing an already established monopoly.

corner the market

Suggests a more aggressive and potentially unfair acquisition of market share.

acquire market exclusivity

Focuses on obtaining exclusive rights within a market.

achieve market dominance

Focuses on achieving a leading position rather than absolute control.

dominate the market

Implies a strong influence without necessarily having a complete monopoly.

FAQs

How can I use "gain a monopoly" in a sentence?

You can use "gain a monopoly" to describe a company's efforts to achieve exclusive control over a particular market, for example: "The company used aggressive pricing tactics to gain a monopoly in the smartphone industry."

What are some alternatives to "gain a monopoly"?

Alternatives include "achieve market dominance", "establish a monopoly", or "dominate the market". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of control being described.

Is it always negative to say a company is trying to "gain a monopoly"?

While the term "monopoly" often carries negative connotations due to concerns about reduced competition and potential price manipulation, it is not inherently negative. It simply describes a market structure. The ethical implications depend on how the monopoly is gained and maintained.

What's the difference between "gain a monopoly" and "secure a monopoly position"?

"Gain a monopoly" refers to the process of achieving a monopoly, while "secure a monopoly position" implies maintaining or reinforcing an existing monopoly.