gain consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain consolation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of finding comfort or solace in a difficult situation. Example: "After the loss of her pet, she found it hard to gain consolation from her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You worry, instantly, for these children, and it is not sentimental to gain consolation from the tight lock of their hands.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Zimbabwean at least gained consolation, however, when she became the first player for 11 years to defend the women's doubles title.

The Guardian - Sport

More than six months later, Ms. Hoglan said, she did not expect to gain any consolation from hearing the voice recorder.

The New York Times

AZ also failed to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League under Koeman, while anything less than a win against Standard Liege in midweek will see them fail to gain the consolation of a place in the Europa League.

The Guardian - Sport

As far as the remains of Federico García Lorca are concerned, for us — and these are things that are perhaps a little irrational — we will not gain any consolation from knowing exactly where his remains are," she said.

The New Yorker

There they gained a consolation victory by an innings and 120 runs against Australia, who therefore won the series, 2-1.

The Guardian - Sport

North Korea scored in the 89th minute, gaining some consolation in its first appearance in the World Cup since stunning Italy in 1966 and maintaining hope that it can still advance from a group that also includes Portugal and the Ivory Coast.

The New York Times

Canada gained some consolation for their shock defeat by Britain on Wednesday when they won bronze in the women's curling by beating the United States 9-5 in a play-off.

The Guardian - Sport

Northampton gained some consolation for their early exit from Europe when they collected their first Heineken Cup win of the season with a bonus-point success against Castres at Franklin's Gardens.

The Guardian - Sport

Australia found out they were eliminated from the tournament just before the match, when Pakistan beat Bangladesh as expected, but a terrible batting performance prevented them from gaining any consolation.

The Guardian - Sport

The veteran forward Tony Windless led Milton Keynes' scoring with 20 points, while the Wolves' Andy Harper gained some consolation by adding to the 18 points he notched on Saturday with 20 yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain consolation", ensure the context clearly indicates what provides the comfort. Specify the source of relief to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "gain consolation" when the comfort received is minimal or insignificant. Opt for phrases like "find slight comfort" or "receive minor solace" to reflect the true extent of the relief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain consolation" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "gain" acts as a transitive verb and "consolation" is its direct object. It signifies the act of obtaining comfort or relief from distress. As per Ludwig, the phrase is valid and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gain consolation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies the act of finding comfort or relief. Ludwig AI affirms its validity in English. While not extremely common, the phrase is frequently found in news and sports reporting, lending it a neutral tone. It is essential to ensure context is clear and avoid overstating the degree of comfort received. Alternatives such as "find comfort" or "seek solace" can provide nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find solace

Emphasizes finding comfort in a difficult situation, focusing on emotional relief.

seek comfort

Highlights the active search for relief and ease from distress.

derive comfort

Implies that comfort is obtained as a result of something.

find comfort

Similar to seeking, but suggests a discovery of comfort rather than a deliberate search.

achieve peace of mind

Focuses on attaining a state of mental calmness and tranquility.

obtain relief

Stresses the attainment of freedom from pain, distress, or oppression.

secure reassurance

Highlights the process of obtaining confidence or certainty again.

get sympathy

Emphasizes receiving understanding and compassion from others.

experience relief

Focuses on the subjective feeling of alleviation from suffering or hardship.

attain calm

Focuses on the achievement of a state of composure and tranquility, often in response to agitation or stress.

FAQs

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

You can use "gain consolation" to describe finding comfort after a loss or disappointment. For example, "After the team lost the championship, they could only "gain consolation" from the support of their fans".

What's a more formal way to say "gain consolation"?

A more formal alternative to "gain consolation" is to "derive solace" or to "find solace". These phrases maintain a similar meaning but are often used in more formal writing.

Is it more common to say "gain consolation" or "find consolation"?

While both are grammatically correct, "find consolation" might be slightly more common. However, "gain consolation" is perfectly acceptable and emphasizes the act of acquiring comfort.

What can I say instead of "gain consolation"?

You can use alternatives like "find comfort", "seek solace", or "derive comfort" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.