gain advantage

USAGE SUMMARY

"gain advantage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used as an idiom meaning to gain an advantage or benefit over someone or something. For example, "The team trained harder in order to gain advantage over their opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How do you gain advantage with aggression?

The New York Times

They want to find a way to gain advantage".

The New York Times - Sports

Much of the revenge was to gain advantage in the postwar world.

The Guardian

"China does not have the need to start a currency war to gain advantage," he said.

The Guardian

Now, he said, "They're just looking to gain advantage wherever they can".

The New York Times - Magazine

Each side suggests that the other is trying to gain advantage with the date.

The New York Times

With that in mind, both parties are latching onto the nation's natural wonders to gain advantage this year.

The New York Times

Using redistricting to gain advantage over one's opponents has been going on almost since America was founded.

The New York Times

The bank, he added, "often seems to be seeking to gain advantage through the use of complex structures".

The Guardian - Business

"Because of this, Gerard Houllier could read that site and counter Warnock's attempts to gain advantage by reading your site.

The Guardian - Sport

He wrote: "The Russians may attempt to gain advantage through state-sponsored doping; we do it by Lottery-funded professionalism".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific context in which you want to "gain advantage". Be clear about what the advantage is and how it is being gained. For instance, instead of saying "They wanted to gain advantage", specify, "They wanted to "gain advantage" in the market by lowering prices".

Common error

Avoid using "gain advantage" too frequently in formal writing without providing specific details. Overusing the phrase without context can make your writing sound vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain advantage" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of acquiring a beneficial position or edge. It is often used to describe strategic maneuvers or efforts aimed at improving one's standing relative to others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gain advantage" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the action of acquiring a beneficial position. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While "gain advantage" is broadly applicable, it's essential to provide specific details about how the advantage is being obtained to enhance clarity. When appropriate, consider alternatives like "secure an edge" or "get the upper hand" to fine-tune the meaning. Remember to avoid overuse without sufficient context to maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the upper hand

This idiom suggests gaining control or dominance in a situation.

secure an edge

This alternative uses "edge" to emphasize a slight advantage, implying a competitive situation.

obtain leverage

This suggests acquiring a position of power or influence to achieve a desired outcome.

derive a benefit

Focuses on the positive outcome or profit gained from a particular action or situation.

build a competitive advantage

Focuses on the creation or development of an advantage over rivals.

capitalize on an opportunity

This phrase highlights the act of taking advantage of a favorable circumstance.

exploit a strength

This implies leveraging one's strengths to achieve a better position or outcome.

improve one's standing

This alternative focuses on enhancing one's position or reputation relative to others.

further one's interests

This suggests acting in a way that promotes one's own goals or objectives.

achieve superiority

This highlights the attainment of a dominant or superior position.

FAQs

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

You can use "gain advantage" to describe actions taken to improve one's position, such as "The company invested in new technology to "gain advantage" over its competitors".

What are some alternatives to "gain advantage"?

Some alternatives include "secure an edge", "obtain leverage", or "get the upper hand", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "gain advantage" in formal writing?

Yes, "gain advantage" is appropriate in formal writing. However, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify how the advantage is being obtained and what the specific benefits are.

What's the difference between "gain advantage" and "increase advantage"?

"Gain advantage" implies acquiring an advantage that wasn't previously present, while "increase advantage" suggests enhancing an existing advantage.