gaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "gaining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of increasing in number, size, or importance. Example: His popularity is gaining as he continues to connect with his constituents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

News & Media - Sport

News & Media - Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even if you think it's scientifically relevant to compare the Arctic to Antarctica (it's not because one is a land mass and the other is an ocean) since 1979, the Arctic has been losing about 1.8 million square kilometres of ice, whereas Antarctica has been gaining about 0.28 million.

The Guardian

He continued to enjoy success in the industry, gaining cult status in recent years and performing at Glastonbury festival several times.

The Guardian

It's gaining followers with such speed that competitors are already racing to destroy it.

The Guardian

"Today, going back to one's Belarusian roots is gaining popularity.

The Guardian

Businesses can in effect advertise there for free, just by signing up and gaining followers, but they tend to find it more effective to pay for an advert – and that's where Twitter is coining it.

The Guardian

You don't need a forensic scientist degree to get into the profession, but an undergraduate science degree is an important starting point, and gaining professional scientific experience is also extremely beneficial.

The Guardian - Money

Chelsea hope to confirm Juan Cuadrado's arrival from Fiorentina, subject to the player passing a medical and gaining international clearance, for an initial fee of around £23.3m over the weekend after the Colombia international visited the Viola's training ground to bid farewell to his team-mates.

The Guardian - Sport

For 24.3% of the vote Labour returned just one Scottish MP - the same as the Liberal Democrats on 7.5%." Other distortions, the ERS says, were that Labour won just 8 seats in the south west and south east of England (outside London) despite gaining nearly a fifth of the share of the vote in those regions.

The Guardian

That promise was not fulfilled, and President al-Maliki's repression of Sunni Arabs is now driving an insurgency against his rule, from which Isis is gaining.

The Guardian - Opinion

Knowsley in Merseyside was again the worst-performing area, with just 35% of pupils gaining five good GCSEs including English and maths.

The Guardian

Now the United States is gaining ground by sending military advisors and more drones, sorry, I mean security personnel and assets, to Nigeria to assist the Nigerian military, who by the way, have a history of committing mass atrocities against the Nigerian people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gaining", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being acquired or increased. For example, specify "gaining experience" or "gaining momentum" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "gaining" with abstract nouns that don't typically increase or accumulate. For example, instead of "gaining understanding", consider "developing understanding" or "achieving understanding".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gaining" is as a present participle, forming part of continuous verb tenses. Ludwig shows it describes an ongoing process of acquiring or increasing something, as in "gaining momentum" or "gaining experience."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gaining" functions as a present participle denoting the ongoing process of acquiring, increasing, or developing something. As Ludwig shows, it's grammatically sound and versatile, suitable for various contexts from news and media to business and scientific writing. The analysis of usage patterns reveals its frequent occurrence in news contexts, underscoring its relevance in describing current events and trends. Remember to use it with concrete nouns and avoid abstract pairings for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquiring

Focuses more on the act of obtaining possession or control.

obtaining

Emphasizes the effort or process involved in getting something.

attaining

Suggests reaching a specific goal or achievement.

achieving

Highlights the successful completion of a task or objective.

increasing

Focuses solely on the growth or augmentation of something.

developing

Implies a gradual process of growth or improvement.

earning

Suggests acquiring something as a result of effort or merit.

winning

Implies success in a competition or contest.

securing

Focuses on making something safe or certain to obtain.

accumulating

Implies gradually gathering or collecting something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "gaining" in a sentence?

You can use "gaining" to describe the process of acquiring something, such as "gaining experience" or "gaining popularity".

What are some alternatives to the word "gaining"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "gaining" include "acquiring", "obtaining", or "attaining".

Is it correct to say "gaining weight" or should I use another phrase?

"Gaining weight" is a perfectly acceptable and common phrase to describe an increase in body mass.

What's the difference between "gaining" and "obtaining"?

"Gaining" often implies a gradual process or increase, while ""obtaining"" suggests a more direct or immediate acquisition.