has secured a place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has secured a place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has successfully obtained a position, spot, or status in a particular context, such as a competition, program, or organization. Example: "After months of preparation, she has secured a place in the prestigious art exhibition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Although the book received some poor reviews, it has secured a place on best-seller lists.

The New York Times

Thanks to reviews in books and on the Internet, the museum has secured a place on the international map of eccentric collections.

The New York Times

Cook, a left-hander with few batting flourishes, may lack Hammond's majesty, but he has secured a place among the immortals.

The Guardian - Sport

Labour leftwinger Jeremy Corbyn has secured a place on the party's leadership ballot paper by a whisker, joining Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall.

The Guardian

It looks as if Thomas Golisano, a multi-millionaire who wants to spend pots of money trying to take the governorship away from George Pataki, has secured a place on the November ballot as the Independence Party candidate.

The Economist

It's only January, and already a new release has secured a place on my 2018 year-end list: Robinson Devor's documentary "Pow Wow," which opens on Friday at Anthology Film Archives.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

She takes obvious pride in having secured a place there.

The Guardian - Business

For the first time, Austria have secured a place at a European Championship by qualifying.

The Guardian - Sport

"He had secured a place to study law at Cardiff and his future was brimming with promise.

Independent

You do not need to have secured a place at one of the universities before applying for the scheme.

The Guardian

Schwartz seems to have secured a place among America's serious novelists, and many readers have clearly been moved and convinced by his prose.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has secured a place" to denote a successful outcome in a competitive situation, such as gaining admission to a school, qualifying for a tournament, or being selected for a role. Be sure the context clearly indicates what was secured.

Common error

Avoid using "has secured a place" when a simpler term like "booked" or "reserved" is more appropriate. "Has secured a place" implies effort or competition was involved in obtaining the place, while booking and reserving are simple transactional actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has secured a place" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the successful acquisition or attainment of a specific position, spot, or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, marking a successful achievement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has secured a place" is a commonly used verbal phrase that effectively communicates the successful attainment of a position or opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various registers. To enhance your writing, use it when highlighting achievements that involve effort or competition and avoid using it when a simple "reserved" would be more precise. Alternatives such as "has obtained a position" and "has gained entry" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has obtained a position

Focuses on the attainment of a formal role or job, slightly more formal.

has earned a position

Highlights that the position was obtained through effort and merit.

has achieved a spot

Highlights that the spot was obtained through achievement.

has gained entry

Emphasizes the act of entering or being admitted to something.

has won a spot

Highlights the competitive aspect of acquiring a place.

has been admitted

Focuses on being accepted into a program, institution, or group.

has qualified

Implies meeting specific criteria or requirements to secure a place.

has been selected

Emphasizes that the person was hand-picked, chosen over other candidates.

has clinched a spot

Similar to winning, but suggests a more decisive or critical acquisition.

has made the cut

Suggests a competitive process where many were excluded.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "has secured a place"?

You can use alternatives like "has obtained a position", "has gained entry", or "has won a spot" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "has secured a place"?

This phrase is appropriate when someone has successfully obtained a position, spot, or opportunity, especially when there was competition or effort involved. For example, "She has secured a place on the team" indicates she successfully tried out.

What is the difference between "has secured a place" and "has reserved a place"?

"Has secured a place" implies that effort or competition was involved in obtaining the place, whereas "has reserved a place" simply means a spot was held for someone, often through a transaction or prior arrangement.

Is "has secured a place" formal or informal?

The phrase "has secured a place" is considered fairly neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in news reports, business communications, and general conversation.