gaining something for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gaining something for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of acquiring or obtaining something on behalf of someone or for a specific purpose. Example: "She is focused on gaining something for the team that will enhance their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

HBO's Stewart acquisition is as much about gaining something for its brand as it is keeping him away from everyone else.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

History has proven that markets for borrowing money can become unanchored from the money itself and end up corrupting the money first by creating substitutes for the real money, which are accepted as if they're real, and then later by creating insidious mechanisms to inflate the quantity of those money substitutes so that some players gain something for nothing.

Forbes

RM is gaining something of a reputation for selling iconic movie cars, especially those of 007.

The New York Times

Support for the good war will shrivel unless sceptical voters in the West see that they are gaining something useful for their lives and money.How to prevent this downward spiral?

The Economist

It was obvious to me that this person was gaining something monetary for sharing that link so people could purchase this book.

Huffington Post

"It's a marvelous house," said Sir Hamilton, who as delegate to the United Nations in the late 1970's gained something of a reputation for eccentricity by shunning official cars and pedaling a bicycle around Manhattan.

The New York Times

The House of Lords has gained something of a reputation for being a place where equality legislation goes to die: whether it was the equalisation of the age of consent being stopped by Baroness Young in 1998, or the criminalisation of incitement to homophobic hatred being severely weakened by Lord Waddington in 2008.

The Guardian - Opinion

In my experience, both sides need to gain something from the relationship for it to be worthwhile.

Forbes

The assumption in question is, then, that although we seem to gain something from looking at, for example, a postcard or poster of Leonardo da Vinci's La Gioconda, a genuine judgement about its artistic character necessitates one's own un-mediated perceptual experience of it.

SEP

He tricks referees into thinking he has been fouled, so artful is his instinct for gaining something out of nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

But if power is only a means for gaining something else, it does not define the nature of international politics in the way Morgenthau claims.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gaining something for", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what benefits from the gain. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "gaining something for" when the benefit is unclear or undefined. Always specify who or what is benefiting to avoid confusing your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaining something for" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action aimed at achieving a beneficial outcome for a specified entity. Ludwig shows examples where this phrase is used to express intent and purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gaining something for" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of obtaining a benefit or advantage for someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for use in various contexts, though clarity in specifying who benefits is crucial. While alternatives like "acquiring" or "obtaining" exist, the original phrase remains a straightforward and widely understood option. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquiring something for

Focuses on the act of obtaining, rather than the process of obtaining a benefit.

obtaining something for

Similar to acquiring, this emphasizes the attainment of something.

securing something for

Implies a level of effort and certainty in gaining the desired outcome.

attaining something for

Similar to acquiring and obtaining, implies high goals and formal contexts.

achieving something for

Focuses on accomplishment and the successful attainment of a goal.

procuring something for

Implies a deliberate and careful acquisition, often in a formal or business setting.

getting something for

A more casual and general way of expressing the idea of gaining something.

realizing something for

Suggests bringing something into reality or making it happen.

winning something for

Highlights the competitive aspect of gaining something.

earning something for

Implies that the something has been deserved or worked for.

FAQs

What does "gaining something for" mean?

The phrase "gaining something for" means acquiring a benefit, advantage, or positive outcome for a specific person, group, or purpose. It implies that the effort or action leads to a favorable result for the intended recipient.

How can I use "gaining something for" in a sentence?

You can use "gaining something for" to describe actions that result in a benefit for someone or something. For example, "The company is innovating to "achieving something for" their shareholders."

What are some alternatives to "gaining something for"?

Alternatives include "acquiring something for", "obtaining something for", or "securing something for", depending on the specific context.

Is "gaining something for" formal or informal?

"Gaining something for" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The tone depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.