gain first place

USAGE SUMMARY

"gain first place" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about achieving the top spot or winning in a competition or race. Example: Despite fierce competition, the athlete was able to gain first place in the marathon, setting a new record.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

York was voted European Tourism City of the Year by European Cities Marketing in June 2007 beating 130 other European cities to gain first place, surpassing Gothenburg in Sweden (second) and Valencia in Spain (third).

Wikipedia

Although the Yankees started well, the Athletics soon proved they were the better team in 1929, splitting two series with the Yankees in the first month of the season, then taking advantage of a Yankee losing streak in mid-May to gain first place.

Wikipedia

New York defeated Boston in a head-to-head series, while Detroit lost three games in a row to Cleveland; this allowed the Yankees to gain first place in the AL by themselves, and they went on to win the pennant.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The three major Japanese automakers increased their U.S. market share to 34.7percentt, led by Honda which overtook Chrysler to gain third place in U.S. market sales.

Huffington Post

He gained first place in English law exams and built up a law practice in the north of the country.

The Economist

He gained first place during the javelin throw and needed to finish no more than 28 seconds behind Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic in the 1,500 meters to hold the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

At the 1922 election, he was re-elected with an increased margin of 20.16%, gaining first place once again.

Wikipedia

That was sufficient to gain first-place votes from seven of the nine judges, who awarded him 5.9's and 5.8's for technical merit and scores ranging from 5.8 to 5.5 for artistry.

The New York Times - Sports

Barrichello raced through the pack, gaining seventh place after only three laps.

The New York Times - Sports

"USA will be the top country, and we may even have difficulty gaining second place," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Britain gained sixth place, whereas in the PISA 2011 report England (without Scotland and Wales) came 25th in reading and 28th in maths.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gain first place" when describing a specific instance of winning or achieving the top position in a competition or ranking. Avoid using it in contexts where general success is implied without a formal ranking.

Common error

Avoid using "gain first place" when the intended meaning is simply to succeed or improve. The phrase specifically refers to achieving the highest rank in a defined hierarchy. For example, don't say "He gained first place in life" when you mean "He succeeded in life."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain first place" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, indicating the action of achieving the highest rank or position in a competition or ranking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain first place" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned expression used to describe the act of achieving the highest rank or position, particularly in competitive contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable and valid phrase. While not exceedingly common, as evidenced by its 'Uncommon' frequency, it appears consistently in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the attainment of a top position, distinguishing it from general success or improvement. Alternatives like "achieve first position" or "secure the top spot" can offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve first position

Replaces "gain" with "achieve" and "place" with "position" for a more formal tone.

finish in first position

Specifies finishing in first place after an event or competition.

secure the top spot

Uses idiomatic language to convey the idea of obtaining first place.

clinch first place

Emphasizes the decisiveness of winning first place.

take the lead

Focuses on the action of moving into first place from a previous position.

capture first place

Implies effort or struggle in winning first place.

attain the highest rank

Formal and emphasizes the hierarchical aspect of rankings.

ascend to first place

Emphasizes upward movement and progress to reach the top position.

emerge victorious

Highlights the winning aspect more broadly, without specifying the rank.

be the victor

Focuses on the winning entity, but less specific to placement.

FAQs

How can I use "gain first place" in a sentence?

You can use "gain first place" when describing an event where someone wins or achieves the top position. For instance, "The athlete trained hard to "gain first place" in the competition".

What are some alternatives to "gain first place"?

Alternatives include "achieve first position", "secure the top spot", or "clinch first place", depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it correct to say "gained first position" instead of "gain first place"?

While "gain first place" and "gain first position" are similar, the former is more common. "Gained first position" is grammatically correct but may sound slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "gain first place" and "win first place"?

"Gain first place" suggests achieving or obtaining the top spot, while "win first place" focuses on the act of winning a competition to achieve that spot. The difference is subtle but relates to the emphasis on the process versus the outcome.