gaining in respectability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gaining in respectability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person, group, or concept that is becoming more accepted or esteemed over time. Example: "The once-controversial movement is now gaining in respectability among mainstream audiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Murder was gaining in respectability.

The New Yorker

Why, when the right-wing National Front has been moderating its official message and gaining in respectability, have cruder forms of racism been on the rise?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Grants supporting research that involves community participation have increased dramatically and gained in academic respectability since 1996, when the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences NIEHSstartedted funding such research (Wolfson and Parries 2010), which, in turn, led to increasing pressure to more precisely evaluate outcomes (Drew et al. 2010).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Gilbert continued his quest to gain respect in and respectability for his profession.

Wikipedia

Thanks to Galton, statistical laws gained respectability in science.

The New Yorker

It took the potato a couple of centuries to gain respectability in Europe, and the colonies; medical authorities held that the potato encouraged leprosy.

The New Yorker

The research at the time was spotty at best, "and then there were whole sections of society that were ready to jump on that and say, 'Oh, look how powerful the mind is!' " But placebo research has gained respectability in recent years, thanks largely to the work of Dr. Fabrizio Benedetti, an Italian neuroscientist widely seen as the patriarch of the field.

The New York Times

The Palm-I.B.M. agreement comes amid some signs that hand-held computers are gaining corporate respectability as they are being purchased by technology managers and given to employees as devices to improve productivity in sales, operations and management.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON, D.C.--After decades of largely being spurned by the U.S. medical establishment, acupuncture seems to be gaining some respectability.

Science Magazine

I'm just thankful that my longtime love is gaining some respectability.

Huffington Post

To be considered the PA official "closest to the Americans" and the go-to guy for both foreign diplomats and Israelis might gain you respectability in European capitals, but for the Palestinian people, there is quite a different feeling when the prime minister is embraced (literally) by the likes of Elliot Abrams.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "gaining in respectability" to describe a gradual improvement in the perceived value or status of something over time. For example, you might say "Acupuncture is gaining in respectability".

Common error

While "gaining in respectability" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "becoming more reputable" or "growing in acceptance" to keep your writing engaging and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaining in respectability" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase, often used as part of a continuous verb tense. It describes an ongoing process of something becoming more reputable or accepted, as shown in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0.5%

Formal & Business

0.3%

Reference

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gaining in respectability" correctly describes something that is gradually becoming more accepted or esteemed. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, and offers a few real world examples. While grammatical and semantically valid, the phrase is relatively rare. When writing, while it's totally ok to use it, it's recommended to also consider near alternatives. The phrase sees use across several contexts, but is primarily found in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing in acceptance

Highlights the increase in general approval or agreement.

becoming more reputable

Emphasizes the growth in good standing and reliability.

acquiring prestige

Focuses on obtaining a high standing or reputation.

rising in esteem

Suggests an increase in favorable regard or respect.

enhancing credibility

Highlights the increase in believability or trustworthiness.

developing legitimacy

Focuses on the establishment of rightful or justifiable status.

improving image

Emphasizes the betterment of public perception.

securing recognition

Indicates the act of obtaining acknowledgement or validation.

advancing in status

Indicates a rise in social or professional position.

establishing authority

Emphasizes building power or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "gaining in respectability" in a sentence?

You can use "gaining in respectability" to describe the process of something or someone becoming more accepted or esteemed. For example, "The once-fringe scientific theory is now "gaining in respectability" within the academic community."

What are some alternatives to "gaining in respectability"?

Alternatives include phrases like "acquiring prestige", "enhancing credibility", or "growing in acceptance", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "gaining respect" instead of "gaining in respectability"?

While "gaining respect" is grammatically correct, "gaining in respectability" implies a more gradual and societal shift towards acceptance. The former suggests a more immediate or individual recognition. You might consider using both alternatives.

What is the difference between "gaining respectability" and "gaining legitimacy"?

"Gaining respectability" refers to an increase in social acceptance or good reputation. "Gaining legitimacy", on the other hand, implies becoming recognized or accepted according to law or established rules. Legitimacy often involves formal recognition or legal standing, while respectability focuses on social perception.