gained an advantage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gained an advantage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has achieved a favorable position or benefit over others, often in competitive situations. Example: "By investing in new technology, the company gained an advantage over its competitors in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"He has made really good moves, but we've gained an advantage," Amith said.

The New York Times

When Gifford responded, Sample told Anderson, he knew that he had gained an advantage.

The New York Times - Sports

Bates deduced that defenseless mimics gained an advantage by resembling well-defended species.

The New York Times - Science

He said the strong German starters gained an advantage with less distance to cover.

The New York Times - Sports

The crowd roared, as if the home favourite had gained an advantage, but the reality was more tangled.

The Guardian - Sport

Arsenal gained an advantage last week with its 3-2 vinthey in the first leg at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The New York Times - Sports

CAS determined that it was the responsibility of the IAAF to show "on the balance of probabilities" that Pistorius gained an advantage by running on his blades.

The Guardian

The game kicked off with the big screen a rare beacon of light in the corner, but neither side gained an advantage in the opening stages.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They want to gain an advantage by cracking a secret.

The New York Times - Sports

The fund uses another management technique to gain an advantage.

The New York Times

"He took a drop to gain an advantage".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gained an advantage" to clearly communicate that a person, team, or entity has achieved a beneficial position, particularly in competitive scenarios. For example, "The new marketing strategy helped the company "gained an advantage" over its competitors".

Common error

Avoid using "gained an advantage" in situations where there is no competition or direct comparison. For instance, saying "He "gained an advantage" by studying hard" is technically correct, but using a phrase like "benefited from" would be more appropriate because it downplays the competitive aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gained an advantage" typically functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, often serving as the predicate that describes the action of obtaining a favorable position. The examples from Ludwig show how it is used to indicate a positive outcome achieved through specific actions or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gained an advantage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the action of achieving a beneficial position or edge, typically in a competitive situation. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability. It's commonly found in news, sports, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context to ensure its appropriateness, avoiding its use in situations where there isn't a clear element of competition. Alternatives like "obtained a benefit" or "secured a lead" may be more fitting in certain cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained a benefit

Focuses on the positive outcome of acquiring something useful.

secured a lead

Emphasizes establishing a position ahead of others.

acquired an edge

Highlights gaining a slight superiority or advantage.

achieved an upper hand

Stresses gaining control or dominance in a situation.

got ahead

A simpler, more informal way of saying gained an advantage.

moved into a favorable position

Describes a shift towards a more advantageous state.

capitalized on an opportunity

Highlights using a chance to gain a benefit.

exploited a weakness

Emphasizes leveraging someone else's vulnerability to gain an advantage.

seized the initiative

Focuses on taking proactive steps to gain an advantage.

improved their standing

Highlights an advancement in rank or status relative to others.

FAQs

How to use "gained an advantage" in a sentence?

You can use "gained an advantage" to describe how someone or something has obtained a beneficial position over others. For example, "The team "gained an advantage" by practicing regularly".

What can I say instead of "gained an advantage"?

You can use alternatives like "obtained a benefit", "secured a lead", or "acquired an edge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "gained an advantage" or "gain an advantage"?

"Gained an advantage" is the past tense form, used when the advantage has already been obtained. "Gain an advantage" is the infinitive form, used when referring to the act of obtaining an advantage in the future or as a general statement.

What's the difference between "gained an advantage" and "had an advantage"?

"Gained an advantage" implies an action that resulted in obtaining an advantage, whereas "had an advantage" suggests that the advantage was already present.