gains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gains" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to acquiring or achieving something, often in terms of benefits or improvements. Example: "The company has seen significant gains in productivity since implementing the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across the wider Whitbread group, third-quarter comparable sales were up 3.3%, with the group's Premier Inn hotel chain making gains against declining revenues in the hotel industry.

The Guardian - Business

Most of their expected gains will come at the expense of Fianna Fail.

The Guardian

Related: Rightwing Northern League makes gains in Italian elections Although welcomed by the Italian government, the proposals have done little to deter the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the country's rising far right.

The Guardian

It also recommended the government look for further efficiency gains in health and education, and broaden the tax base, including by changing the way self-employed workers are taxed.

The Guardian - Business

If a country is found to have been illegally allowing state aid to favour the businesses, the company will be forced to return the improper gains to the national coffers.

The Guardian

But he warned: "By further delaying immunisation we risk reversing our gains".

The Guardian

"The fact that some large companies such as Walmart and Target have announced wage increases for their employees also might be a sign that larger wage gains are on the horizon".

The Guardian - Business

Sinn Fein is set to easily hold its position as the top voice in nationalism but as counts continued into a second night the party had yet to seal potential gains, while the smaller Ulster Unionists and SDLP are in a dogfight for final seats.

The Guardian

The NDP gains have drawn the federal party tied with the Conservatives and the Liberal party in voter approval ratings as the long campaign begins, thus improving the odds that the increasingly restive majority of Canadians who oppose the Harper government will once again divide their votes and usher him to victory.

The Guardian

"There is no doubt that a decline in remittances will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and erode the gains Somalia has made in recent years".

The Guardian

It is an iron rule of politics that gainers bag the gains and the losers react," says Tony Travers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing improvements or positive results, use "gains" to emphasize the act of obtaining something beneficial, rather than simply the state of improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "gains" when referring to general progress without a clear indication of what is being acquired or improved. Use more general terms like "progress" or "development" if the specific benefit is not apparent.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gains" is as a noun, often used to denote increases, profits, or advantages acquired. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "gains" signifies positive results in various contexts such as business, politics, and personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "gains" is a versatile noun widely used to describe improvements, profits, or advantages. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, use "gains" to specifically highlight positive outcomes or achievements. While alternatives like "improvements" or "benefits" exist, "gains" emphasizes the act of obtaining something positive. Avoid using it when referring to general progress without a clear benefit. Overall, "gains" is a valuable term for conveying accomplishment and progress in various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improvements

Focuses specifically on the act of making something better rather than the broader concept of acquiring something beneficial.

advantages

Highlights the beneficial aspects obtained, often in a competitive context.

benefits

Emphasizes the positive outcomes received as a result of an action or situation.

profits

Specifically refers to financial benefits or earnings.

advancements

Suggests progress and positive changes, often in a technological or developmental context.

acquisitions

Focuses on the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something.

achievements

Highlights accomplishments and successful outcomes.

progress

Implies a forward movement or development towards a goal.

returns

Emphasizes the yield or income derived from an investment or activity.

upswings

Specifically indicates a positive turn or upward trend, often in economic or market contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "gains" in a sentence?

"Gains" typically refers to improvements or benefits achieved. For instance, "The company reported significant profit gains this quarter."

What can I say instead of "gains"?

You can use alternatives like "improvements", "benefits", or "advantages" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "gains" when talking about small positive changes?

Yes, "gains" can be used to describe both large and small positive changes, but it's more impactful when the change is significant or noteworthy.

Which is the correct way to refer to an increase in profit, "profit gains" or "gain profits"?

"Profit gains" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Gain profits" is grammatically unusual.