obtain honor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain honor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is seeking to earn or achieve respect, recognition, or a good reputation. Example: "Through his selfless acts of bravery, he was able to obtain honor among his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The great Jewish thinker Maimonides observed that an anonymous gift is "a commandment fulfilled for its own sake," rather than done in order to obtain honor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

José Caraballo-Cueto completed a Ph.D. in economics at The New School for Social Research in 2013, where he specialized in econometrics (a branch of statistics) and development, obtaining honors in the latter.

Huffington Post

In the judgment at his trial, it was stipulated that Autrecourt could only obtain "magisterial honor and degree" after special permission from the Apostolic See, which seems to imply that he was not allowed to progress to inception in theology (the ceremony in which the magisterial honors would be conferred) until the pope decided otherwise.

SEP

The citizens were driven by an ardent desire to obtain the "honors and benefits" of office (Manin 1995).

Huffington Post

He won his first team event in 1934 at a tournament in New Haven, Connecticut, obtaining individual honors in the process, and followed it up in 1936 with a group trophy and another individual accolade at a competition held at his high school and sponsored by the New York Stock Exchange.

Wikipedia

To obtain the return of these, one of the sprites, Hadeburg, promises falsely that Hagen and Gunther will find honor and glory when they enter Etzel's kingdom.

Wikipedia

Vietnam veteran Terry Calandra's recent guilty plea in federal court to falsifying information to obtain a Medal of Honor proves the point.

Huffington Post

They must obtained informed consent, honor patient autonomy, and offer medical care in line with the clinical standards of their colleagues at secular institutions.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately the government thereafter went around Your Honor and sought to obtain these records by other means.

The Guardian - Tech

Open to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents of Singapore, candidates must have obtained first class honors degrees (or their equivalent) in any of the specified disciplines and be less than 28 years old.

Science Magazine

Boat owners simply need to stop by the park office to obtain a $15 permit, which is honored at other state parks in the Taconic region.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obtain honor", consider the context to ensure that it appropriately conveys the idea of earning respect or recognition through ethical or commendable actions.

Common error

Avoid using "obtain honor" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "get respect" or "earn praise" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain honor" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of acquiring or achieving respect, recognition, or a good reputation. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in English. Example: "To obtain honor, one must act with integrity."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain honor" is grammatically correct but relatively rare in usage. Ludwig AI states that this phrase can be used when describing efforts to gain respect or recognition through ethical actions. It leans towards a formal register and is most frequently found in news, media, and academic sources. Alternative phrases, such as "earn respect" or "achieve recognition", may be suitable depending on the specific context. Remember to consider the register and ensure that the phrase aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive honor

Focuses on the act of being given honor, rather than earning it.

reap honor

Suggests receiving honor as a consequence of one's actions.

achieve recognition

Focuses more on the achieved acknowledgement than the moral aspect.

earn respect

Emphasizes the effort required to gain admiration.

gain prestige

Highlights the attainment of status and influence.

secure acclaim

Implies winning public approval and praise.

win laurels

Refers to gaining awards or honors for achievement.

garner accolades

Suggests collecting awards and commendations.

attain distinction

Focuses on reaching a state of being notable or prominent.

acquire eminence

Highlights the process of gaining high reputation and influence.

FAQs

How can I use "obtain honor" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain honor" to describe actions that lead to respect or recognition. For instance, "The soldier's bravery allowed him to "obtain honor" on the battlefield".

What are some alternatives to "obtain honor"?

Some alternatives to "obtain honor" include "earn respect", "achieve recognition", or "gain prestige" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more common to say "obtain honor" or "receive honor"?

"Receive honor" is often used to describe being given an honor, while "obtain honor" emphasizes earning it. Depending on the situation either can be appropriate, but if the emphasis is on the work done to get the honor, use "obtain honor".

What's the difference between "obtain honor" and "achieve honor"?

"Obtain honor" and "achieve honor" are very close in meaning. "Achieve honor" implies a greater degree of difficulty or effort in attaining the honor, while "obtain honor" is a more general term.