gain advantage over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gain advantage over' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to having a greater degree of power, control, or resources over someone or something else. For example, "The company's well-trained sales team gave it a significant gain advantage over its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Some cite his irrationality, often used in the past to confuse opponents and gain advantage over them.

The New York Times

Cyberwarfare is clearly a front where nation states will try to gain advantage over each other and make plans for attack and defence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The enforcement actions mentioned in the article were not about traders "using computers to gain advantage over slower investors by illegally manipulating prices".

The New York Times

It is not right for an immigrant to break the law to gain advantage over those who apply legally or for an employer to do so in pursuit of a business advantage.

The New York Times

Mr. Yan said that given the political climate in Washington, he doubted whether the American president would be able to forgo the drive, urged by some hawks, to gain advantage over China.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Politicians seized the moment to try to gain advantages over their opponents.

The New York Times - Science

How JPMorgan won while its customers lost provides a glimpse into the ways Wall Street banks can, and often do, gain advantages over their customers.

The New York Times

Synthetic PIPs gain advantages over other natural DNA-binding proteins as effective transcriptional activators because they possess flexible covalent sites and can bind to the methylated DNA sequences and disrupt the packed chromatin structure[80 82].

Clinical and Translational Medicine

The type to sing along with those far worse gone than himself, with the idea of gaining advantage over them in their weakness.

The New Yorker

Was that reform intended to prevent one presidential candidate from gaining advantage over another, as the reasoning underlying Judge La Barga's opinion implies?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain advantage over", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific advantage is being obtained and over whom or what. Be specific about the area in which the advantage is realized.

Common error

Avoid using "gain advantage over" when the advantage is minor or insignificant. Reserve the phrase for situations where the advantage is substantial and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain advantage over" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of acquiring a superior position or a beneficial edge in comparison to another entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain advantage over" is used to describe the action of achieving a superior position or edge compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions, indicating its versatility. While there is a strong presence in media and scientific sources, as highlighted by Ludwig, it's important to be specific about what advantage is being obtained and over whom. Be careful not to overstate the advantage, ensuring it's substantial and impactful, to maintain credibility and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outperform

Directly conveys the act of performing better than another entity.

excel over

Focuses on demonstrating superior qualities or skills compared to others.

outdo

Emphasizes surpassing someone's achievements or actions.

get the better of

Suggests gaining a slight advantage, often through cunning or strategy.

get ahead of

Focuses on progression and being in front, but it doesn't necessarily imply outperforming the competition.

prevail over

Highlights overcoming difficulties and emerging as the stronger party.

surpass

Suggests exceeding a certain limit or expectation, but lacks the competitive implication.

triumph over

Emphasizes victory and overcoming challenges or opposition.

dominate

Suggests gaining complete control or power over someone or something.

one-up

Informal term meaning to surpass or outdo someone in a competitive manner.

FAQs

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

Use "gain advantage over" to describe how someone or something gets ahead or surpasses others. For example, "The company invested in new technology to "gain advantage over" its competitors".

What are some alternatives to "gain advantage over"?

Alternatives include "outperform", "surpass", or "get ahead of depending" on the context.

Is it always appropriate to try to "gain advantage over" others?

Whether it's appropriate depends on the context. In competitive environments like business or sports, it's often expected. However, in personal relationships, constantly trying to "gain advantage over" others can be detrimental.

What's the difference between "gain advantage over" and "dominate"?

"Gain advantage over" suggests a competitive edge, while "dominate" implies complete control or superiority. "Gain advantage over" is often more subtle and doesn't necessarily mean absolute control.