gained a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"gained a degree" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has attained a college or university degree. For example: "After four years of hard work, Millie finally gained a degree in Political Science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Four years later he had gained a degree of renown as Mr. Kagel's student.

The New York Times - Arts

In the 70s she trained as a therapist and gained a degree in psychology.

The Guardian - Music

He then won a scholarship to University College, Oxford, where he gained a degree in history.

The Guardian

In his spare time, he gained a degree in music from King's College, London.

The Guardian

Timorese coffee has gained a degree of international popularity, with Starbucks, among others, a buyer.

The Economist

Black gained a degree of notoriety in 2002 for telling Congress that after 9/11 "the gloves come off".

The Guardian

Then, in the 1970s, she joined the Open University in its early years and gained a degree in English.

The Guardian - Arts

A native of Cardiff, raised in Manchester, Ruth gained a degree in social and political sciences from New Hall, Cambridge.

The Guardian

He gained a degree from Swarthmore College, a Masters from Harvard Business School and a law degree from Columbia University.

Independent

He sent his son to France where he gained a degree in chemical engineering at Toulouse university.

The Economist

In 1963 he gained a degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, and became a computer salesman for IBM.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gained a degree" to highlight the positive outcome of effort and study. It's suitable for resumes, biographies, and general writing where you want to emphasize accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "degree". For example, it's "a degree in history", not "a degree at history" or "a degree on history".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gained a degree" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the successful completion of an academic program. Ludwig shows it's used to describe someone's educational achievements. The phrase typically modifies a noun or pronoun representing the person who achieved the degree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gained a degree" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the successful completion of an academic program. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides numerous examples across various reputable sources. While alternatives like "earned a degree" or "obtained a degree" exist, this phrase effectively conveys the accomplishment of acquiring a degree. It is suitable for professional, academic, and general writing contexts, making it a valuable phrase for your written communication. The best practice is to use the phrase to highlight the successful outcome of one's academic efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Earned a degree

Focuses on the effort expended to obtain the degree.

Obtained a degree

Highlights the act of receiving or acquiring the degree.

Received a degree

Emphasizes the act of being awarded the degree.

Was awarded a degree

Uses passive voice to emphasize the awarding institution.

Completed a degree

Focuses on finishing the course of study.

Graduated with a degree

Highlights the graduation ceremony and the awarding of the degree.

Secured a degree

Implies effort and competition in achieving the degree.

Acquired a degree

Focuses on gaining knowledge and skills.

Finished a degree

Simple and direct way of stating completion of the degree.

Attained a degree

Emphasizes the achievement and accomplishment of getting the degree.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "gained a degree"?

You can use alternatives like "earned a degree", "obtained a degree", or "received a degree" depending on the context.

How to use "gained a degree" in a sentence?

You can use "gained a degree" to indicate that someone has successfully completed their studies and received their academic qualification. For example: "She "gained a degree" in engineering from MIT."

Which is correct, "gained a degree" or "got a degree"?

"Gained a degree" is more formal than "got a degree", but both are correct. The choice depends on the context; "gained" is often preferred in professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "gained a degree" and "obtained a degree"?

The terms are very similar. "Gained a degree" and ""obtained a degree"" are almost interchangeable, both indicating the successful completion of a degree program. "Obtained" might slightly emphasize the formal process of receiving the degree.