gain tenure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain tenure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in academic contexts to refer to the process by which a professor or academic staff member secures a permanent position after a probationary period. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she was finally able to gain tenure at the university."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

You gain tenure by publishing articles in academic journals and books with academic presses.

The Washington Post

At age 29, Chetty was among the youngest to gain tenure at Harvard.

Harvard University

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) has proposed tighter rules for teachers to gain tenure, but it remains unclear how much that would help the state's chances.

The Washington Post

Expensive journals cut into a library's budget for scholarly books and monographs, which hurts academic publishers, which hurts the coming generation of scholars who must publish to gain tenure.

The New York Times - Books

That might put pressure on costs, as workers gain tenure, pay rises and better benefits.Another force working to slow Wal-Mart down is the company's mounting legal and labour-compliance problems.

The Economist

Others suggest that incentives for young economists to publish in journals and gain tenure predispose them to pursue technical wizardry over deep empirical research and to choose narrow slices of topics.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

He was then offered an appointment at the Rutgers Department of Computer Science, where he ultimately gained tenure in 1992.

MIT Technology Review

He gained tenure in 1987, and later served as Associate Dean (1989-93).

Harvard University

What if, he asked, a university is dissatisfied with the number of female professors gaining tenure under its usual requirements?

The New York Times

He returned to Stanford to join the sociology department in 1958 and gained tenure at the age of 28.

The New York Times

He began teaching at MIT in 1995, gained tenure in 2002, and received full professor status in 2012.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about tenure, use "gain tenure" to emphasize the process and effort involved in achieving a permanent academic position. It's particularly suitable in contexts discussing academic career paths or challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "gain tenure" when the context implies automatic acquisition. Tenure is a selective process, not an automatic outcome of employment. Instead, focus on the achievements and qualifications necessary to "gain tenure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain tenure" functions as a verb phrase + noun, indicating the action of acquiring a permanent position in academia or a similar field. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in describing career progression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain tenure" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in academic circles, to denote the process of achieving a permanent position. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase. While "gain tenure" is often used, alternatives such as "achieve tenure" or "secure tenure" can provide nuanced emphasis. Remember, tenure isn't an automatic outcome but a selective process requiring dedicated effort and significant qualifications. Contexts where academic career paths or challenges are discussed are most appropriate for this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve tenure

Replaces "gain" with "achieve", emphasizing the accomplishment aspect.

obtain tenure

Substitutes "gain" with "obtain", focusing on the act of acquiring tenure.

secure tenure

Uses "secure" instead of "gain", highlighting the act of making tenure certain.

earn tenure

Replaces "gain" with "earn", emphasizing that tenure is a result of effort and merit.

win tenure

Substitutes "gain" with "win", suggesting tenure is obtained through competition or special merit.

acquire tenure

Uses "acquire" instead of "gain", focusing on the process of coming to possess tenure.

be granted tenure

Expresses tenure as something received from an institution.

receive tenure

Highlights the act of getting tenure.

get tenure

An informal way to say "gain tenure", with 'get' as a more casual verb.

be awarded tenure

Similar to 'be granted tenure', showing the achievement is formally recognized.

FAQs

How is "gain tenure" typically used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "gain tenure" typically refers to the process by which a professor or academic staff member secures a permanent position after a probationary period. It emphasizes the effort and achievement involved in obtaining this status.

What are some alternatives to "gain tenure"?

You can use alternatives like "achieve tenure", "obtain tenure", or "secure tenure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. All of them are suitable replacements.

Is it correct to use "earn tenure" instead of "gain tenure"?

Yes, "earn tenure" is a perfectly acceptable substitute. It emphasizes that tenure is a result of hard work and dedication.

What's the difference between "gaining tenure" and "having tenure"?

"Gaining tenure" refers to the process of achieving tenure, while "having tenure" indicates the state of already possessing a permanent position. The first describes an action, while the second describes a condition.