gain credence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain credence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of something becoming accepted or believed to be true. Example: "As more evidence emerged, the theory began to gain credence among scientists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

If the other side should ever gain credence, then we'll have something to worry about".

The New York Times

If the ball starts turning sharply on Sunday night then any conspiracy theories about wicket preparation can gain credence rapidly.

The Guardian - Sport

No one believes her until her claims gain credence when she performs eerie acts of fortunetelling on the investigators who attempt to question her.

The New York Times

Generally speaking, scientific claims gain credence through the give-and-take of publication in recognized scientific journals following a process known as peer review.

The New York Times - Books

Yet two foreign audits he commissioned found no evidence of Centerra breaking Kyrgyz law.The accusations gain credence, however, because of negative perceptions of Kumtor's environmental record.

The Economist

The G20 should also pledge its unequivocal support for free trade a pledge that would gain credence if the leaders made a commitment to complete the Doha round of trade talks.But what of the larger ambitions of "fixing" global finance?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Embellishments gained credence.

The New York Times

An old theory thus gains credence.

The Economist

The reports gained credence from scientific studies.

The New York Times

The tale had emanated from Williams's native Australia and gained credence at the Open.

The Guardian - Sport

Though nontraditional medicine has many skeptics, some techniques have gained credence among pain specialists.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gain credence" when you want to emphasize that an idea, theory, or claim is gradually becoming more believable or accepted, often due to accumulating evidence or support. This phrase is particularly effective in formal and analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "give credence" when you mean "gain credence". "Give credence" means to lend credibility to something, while "gain credence" means to have credibility build up around something. Using the wrong phrase can reverse your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain credence" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process by which an idea or claim becomes more believable or acceptable. This is supported by Ludwig's examples showing how various theories and reports "gain credence" over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gain credence" is a useful phrase to indicate that something is becoming more believable or accepted. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, be sure to distinguish "gain credence" from "give credence" to avoid reversing your intended meaning. Alternative phrases like "become believable" or "acquire credibility" can be used to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become believable

Focuses on the quality of being believed, rather than the process of gaining belief.

acquire credibility

Emphasizes the addition of qualities that make something worthy of trust.

win acceptance

Highlights the act of being accepted, which can be broader than just belief.

garner support

Suggests attracting active backing, not just passive belief.

find validation

Focuses on the discovery of proof or support after a period of doubt.

grow in popularity

Indicates an increase in favor among people, possibly without implying truth.

attract affirmation

Highlights the attraction of confirmation, rather than gaining basic belief.

become established

Focuses on something becoming part of the known and accepted rather than specifically gaining trust.

prove itself

Shifts the focus to the act of demonstrating validity through evidence.

carry weight

Indicates importance and influence, rather than just believability.

FAQs

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

You can use "gain credence" to describe how an idea or theory becomes more believable over time, like "The scientist's controversial theory began to "gain credence" as more data supported its claims".

What's a formal alternative to "gain credence"?

Alternatives to "gain credence" include "acquire credibility" or "win acceptance", which are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "gaining credence"?

Yes, "gaining credence" is the present participle form and is perfectly correct when describing an ongoing process. For example: "The rumor is "gaining credence" among the public".

What is the difference between "gain credence" and "lend credence"?

"Gain credence" describes something becoming more believable, while "lend credence" means to provide support or credibility to something else. They have opposite meanings, so be careful not to mix them up!