individual gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "individual gain" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing personal benefits or advantages, often in contrast to collective or communal benefits. For example, "The policy was criticized for prioritizing individual gain over the common good." Alternative expressions include "personal benefit," "self-interest," and "individual advantage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

During another class, we discussed the tensions between collective welfare and individual gain.

University of California, Berkeley

And he warned of the overuse of incentives that appeal to individual gain.

The New York Times

And of course if the goal is maximisation of your individual gain, collective purchase will seem inefficient.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the other hand, the liturgy system was exploited for individual gain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As conflict increases, the odds of maximizing mutual gain decrease, as do your chances of maximizing individual gain.

Harvard University

Meyerson concludes that the Army sustained a counterculture "more communal than competitive, dedicated to national public service rather than individual gain".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

But individual gains varied widely, ranging from 8percentto198percentcent improvement.

Stanford University

Aren't there benefits to organic eating beyond individual gains?

The New York Times

A number of covariates of the individual gains are identified.

World Development

Yet it is important to understand that all these individual gains come at the expense of the group.

Harvard Business Review

Camus further argues that with the joyful acceptance of the struggle against defeat, the individual gains definition and identity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting "individual gain" with collective benefit, ensure the context clearly defines the scope and beneficiaries of each.

Common error

Avoid using "individual gain" when a more neutral term like "personal benefit" would be more appropriate, especially in contexts where collaboration or community welfare are being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individual gain" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to the advantage or benefit acquired by a single person, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "individual gain" is a noun phrase denoting a personal advantage. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and common in various contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific discourse. While often used neutrally, it can carry a connotation of self-interest, particularly when contrasted with collective benefit. Consider using alternatives like "personal benefit" or "private advantage" depending on the desired nuance. It's important to be mindful of the potential for misinterpreting the term as inherently selfish and to ensure context clarifies the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual benefit

Is a direct synonym, nearly perfectly interchangeable.

private gain

Similar to "individual gain" but emphasizes the privacy or exclusivity of the benefit.

personal benefit

Focuses on the advantage received by a person, simplifying the expression.

private advantage

Emphasizes the exclusive nature of the benefit.

self-interest

A more formal and neutral term for pursuing one's own benefit.

selfish interest

Highlights the self-centered motivation behind seeking the benefit, introducing a negative connotation.

personal profit

Specifically refers to financial or material gain.

self-seeking

Suggests an active pursuit of one's own interests, often with a negative implication.

private enrichment

Emphasizes the act of becoming wealthier or richer personally.

personal advancement

Highlights progress or improvement in one's career or status.

FAQs

How to use "individual gain" in a sentence?

You can use "individual gain" to describe situations where someone benefits personally, often at the expense of others or the community. For example, "The policy prioritized "individual gain" over public welfare."

What's the difference between "individual gain" and "personal benefit"?

"Personal benefit" is a more neutral term for advantage, while "individual gain" can sometimes imply a self-centered or even exploitative pursuit of that advantage. Use "personal benefit" when a neutral tone is needed.

Which is correct, "individual gain" or "collective gain"?

Both are correct, but they represent opposing concepts. "Individual gain" refers to personal benefit, while "collective gain" refers to benefit for a group or community. The choice depends on the context of your sentence. It would be more accurate to contrast "individual gain" to "collective benefit".

What can I say instead of "individual gain"?

Alternatives include "personal profit", "private advantage", or "self-interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.