gained confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"gained confidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone becoming more self-assured or sure of themselves. Example: "After weeks of rigorous training and practice, she finally gained confidence in her abilities as a dancer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He gained confidence.

The New Yorker

With time, Reid gained confidence.

The New York Times - Magazine

He gained confidence and thrived.

The New Yorker

She gained confidence by destroying the past.

The Economist

But little by little, she gained confidence.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I just gained confidence off of that".

The New York Times - Sports

Had Rigelsford gained confidence from similar earlier ventures?

The Guardian - Film

In the spring, Hall gained confidence in training.

The New York Times - Sports

As interns have gained confidence, employers have gone quiet.

The Guardian - Money

By degrees they gained confidence & started to converse.

The New Yorker

"She gained confidence in her ability to motivate others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gained confidence" to highlight a positive change in someone's self-assurance after a specific experience or period. This phrase works well in describing personal growth and development.

Common error

Avoid using "gained confidence" when describing a state that has always existed. The phrase implies a change or improvement over time, not a constant condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gained confidence" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of acquiring or increasing self-assurance or belief in one's abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. This is supported by numerous examples showcasing its use in describing personal growth and development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gained confidence" is a widely used and grammatically sound verb phrase signifying an increase in self-assurance or belief in one's capabilities. Ludwig AI highlights its versatility and correctness across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and formal business writing, demonstrating its broad applicability. Alternatives like ""became more self-assured"" and ""developed self-belief"" offer similar nuances. When using this phrase, ensure it describes a change over time rather than a pre-existing state to maintain accuracy and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Became more self-assured

Focuses on the increase in self-assurance.

Bolstered their confidence

Focuses on making one's confidence stronger.

Developed self-belief

Emphasizes the development of belief in one's own abilities.

Grew in self-esteem

Highlights the improvement in one's own self-regard.

Acquired assurance

Highlights the process of acquiring a sense of certainty.

Progressed in certainty

Emphasizes the ongoing development of certainty and confidence.

Found their footing

Suggests becoming stable and confident in a new situation.

Became empowered

Highlights the feeling of having control and confidence.

Established self-reliance

Suggests the development of independence and confidence.

Built up courage

Emphasizes the development of bravery and confidence.

FAQs

How can I use "gained confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "gained confidence" to describe an increase in self-assurance, like "After completing the project, she "gained confidence" in her abilities."

What are some alternatives to "gained confidence"?

Alternatives include "became more self-assured", "developed self-belief", or "grew in self-esteem", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "gain confidence" or "gained confidence"?

"Gain confidence" is used in the present or future tense, while ""gained confidence"" is used for past events. For example, "He hopes to gain confidence" versus "He gained confidence after the success."

What's the difference between "gained confidence" and "became confident"?

"Gained confidence" emphasizes the process of acquiring self-assurance, while "became confident" focuses on the resulting state. The first suggests a journey, the second a result.