personal gain

USAGE SUMMARY

"personal gain" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that an individual obtains for him or herself, usually in an immoral or unethical manner. For example, "The politician sought to use her office for personal gain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Guantánamo detainees are not ordinary criminals out for personal gain.

The New York Times

How dare someone bastardize and belittle that person's efforts for their own personal gain?

Vice

The person who did it wanted to get the spiders high for his own personal gain.

Vice

personal gain?

The Guardian

They manipulate for personal gain.

Independent

Not for personal gain?

The New York Times - Magazine

for personal gain and professional advancement.

The New Yorker

Some people are here for personal gain.

The New York Times - Magazine

He's doing this for personal gain.

The Guardian

Not that there isn't opportunity for personal gain.

The New York Times - Arts

These kids are being misled by others for personal gain".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal gain" to denote situations where someone benefits directly and often selfishly, differentiating it from broader benefits to a group or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "personal gain" when describing standard business profits or earnings. "Personal gain" often implies unethical or inappropriate benefits, whereas profits are usually considered legitimate financial rewards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal gain" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting the benefit or advantage someone receives, often with implications of impropriety. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts related to ethics and motivations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal gain" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies self-interested benefit, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. While the phrase isn't inherently formal, it's crucial to use it accurately, distinguishing it from legitimate profit or professional advancement. When writing, be mindful of the ethical connotations and avoid conflating it with standard business practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-interest

Focuses on one's own advantage, which may or may not be at the expense of others.

private benefit

Emphasizes the benefit being for a specific individual or entity.

selfish advantage

Highlights the selfish nature of the gain.

material advantage

Specifically refers to tangible or financial benefits.

pecuniary interest

Implies a financial or monetary stake in something.

ill-gotten gains

Suggests that the gain was obtained illegally or unethically.

self-seeking behavior

Highlights the actions taken to achieve personal benefits.

opportunistic exploitation

Implies taking advantage of a situation for personal benefit, often negatively.

private enrichment

Focuses on the increase in wealth or resources of an individual.

personal profit

Indicates a financial benefit obtained personally.

FAQs

How can I use "personal gain" in a sentence?

"Personal gain" is typically used to describe situations where someone benefits from something in a potentially unethical or inappropriate way. For example: "The politician was accused of using his position for "personal gain"."

What are some alternatives to "personal gain"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "self-interest", "private benefit", or "selfish advantage". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to pursue "personal gain"?

While the term often carries a negative connotation, it's not inherently negative. It becomes problematic when the pursuit of "personal gain" comes at the expense of others or violates ethical principles.

What is the difference between "personal gain" and "professional advancement"?

"Professional advancement" refers to career progression and development, while "personal gain" typically suggests obtaining benefits, often financial, that may not be directly related to professional growth and can sometimes be unethical. Both can overlap, but "personal gain" often has a more self-serving and potentially negative connotation.