gain their confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain their confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of building trust or assurance with someone, often in a personal or professional context. Example: "To successfully lead the team, it is essential to gain their confidence through open communication and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He could gain their confidence better than anyone.

The New Yorker

"We gain their confidence and they tell us their secrets.

The Guardian

While she's deep enough with various deformed and ego-mad stars to gain their confidence, she's kept her head and her sense of humor.

The New York Times - Arts

If schools want to get the support of parents and gain their confidence, threatening them with social services will not help".

The Guardian

Another central goal of culturally sensitive nursing is to engender respect for people's traditional approaches to medical care, partly to gain their confidence.

The New York Times - Health

"To really gain their confidence, they would place an order via email and then we'd meet up with them in person to give them the product".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It took a couple months before we really gained their confidence," Ms. Alagna said.

The New York Times

"This was essential to gaining their confidence," she said of Sartre, de Beauvoir, Malraux and Breton.

The New York Times - Arts

But my full beard may have helped in gaining their confidence and a look inside their truck cabs.

The New York Times

Gaining their confidence — and their hard-earned savings — will be crucial if China is to build up stable markets that can finance world-class companies and generate reliable returns for China's rising ranks of retirees.

The New York Times

"The defendant ingratiated himself in the social networking sites of young persons, having gained their confidence, used questionnaires or simple conversations to encourage hundreds of children under the age of 16 years to perform sexual acts for him.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "gain their confidence", prioritize transparent communication and consistent actions that demonstrate reliability and competence. Show genuine interest in their perspectives and concerns.

Common error

Don't mistake superficial charm for genuine connection. Trying to "gain their confidence" through insincere flattery or empty promises will likely backfire. Focus on building a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain their confidence" functions as a verb phrase, often serving as the predicate of a sentence. It expresses the action of acquiring or obtaining the trust and assurance of a group of people. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gain their confidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression signifying the process of acquiring trust and assurance from a group. Ludwig highlights that the expression is valid and practical for written English. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal communications. To effectively "gain their confidence", prioritize clear communication, consistent actions, and genuine engagement. Remember that shortcuts or insincere attempts can undermine your efforts. Consider replacing the phrase with alternatives like "earn their trust" or "win their support" to suit the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn their trust

Focuses more directly on the aspect of trustworthiness rather than general confidence.

elicit their trust

Emphasizes drawing out trust that may already be present.

win their support

Emphasizes obtaining active backing or agreement rather than just assurance.

secure their belief

Highlights establishing a firm conviction in someone's mind.

garner their faith

Focuses on acquiring a strong belief or reliance on someone or something.

build rapport with them

Focuses on establishing a harmonious relationship, a precursor to gaining confidence.

establish credibility with them

Emphasizes proving oneself as reliable and trustworthy.

cultivate their goodwill

Focuses on fostering a positive and cooperative attitude.

ingratiate oneself to them

Implies making oneself agreeable to gain favor, which can be perceived negatively.

foster their conviction

Highlights the act of creating a strong belief or opinion in someone.

FAQs

What's the best way to "gain their confidence" in a professional setting?

Demonstrate competence through consistent high-quality work, communicate transparently about challenges and solutions, and actively listen to and address the concerns of colleagues and clients. Showing genuine respect for their expertise and perspectives is also crucial.

What can I say instead of "gain their confidence"?

You can use alternatives like "earn their trust", "win their support", or "build rapport with them" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How important is it to "gain their confidence" when leading a team?

It's extremely important. A team is more likely to be productive, collaborative, and committed when its members trust and have confidence in their leader. This trust fosters open communication, encourages innovation, and increases overall team cohesion and effectiveness.

What are some common mistakes people make when trying to "gain their confidence"?

Common mistakes include making promises they can't keep, exaggerating their expertise or accomplishments, being inconsistent in their behavior, and failing to actively listen to and address the concerns of others. Authenticity and genuine connection are key to building lasting confidence.