placed second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "placed second" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase to describe something or someone that has achieved a runner-up position in some kind of competition. For example, "Our team placed second in the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He placed second to last.

The New York Times - Sports

Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt placed second over all.

The New York Times - Sports

It placed second in the elections.

The New York Times

Edwards placed second, followed by Kasey Kahne.

The New York Times

Paerson, a Swede, placed second, 0.43 behind.

The New York Times - Sports

It placed second in nuclear engineering.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Double Character was disqualified and placed second.

The New York Times - Sports

The school placed second nationally last year.

The New York Times

Painting placed second, followed by architecture.

The New Yorker

CBS placed second in both categories.

The New York Times

Thanks to them, we placed second in our class!

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about rankings or results, use "placed second" to clearly indicate the runner-up position. Be sure to provide context to clarify what the subject "placed second" in.

Common error

Avoid using "placed second" when you mean another ordinal position, like third or fourth. Double-check your facts to ensure accuracy in reporting rankings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "placed second" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating the achievement of a runner-up position in a competition, ranking, or classification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

27%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "placed second" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone or something achieved the runner-up position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media and academic settings. While alternatives exist, like "came in second place" or "finished as runner-up", "placed second" remains a clear and effective choice for conveying this specific ranking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came in second place

A more conversational and straightforward way of saying "placed second".

finished second overall

Similar to "placed second", but clarifies that the ranking is in an overall context.

finished as runner-up

Emphasizes the act of finishing in second place, particularly in competitions.

achieved second place

Stresses the accomplishment of reaching second place.

secured the second position

Highlights the act of obtaining second place, suggesting a deliberate effort.

ranked second

Focuses on the ranking aspect, useful in contexts beyond direct competition.

was second in rank

Emphasizes hierarchical position more generally.

earned the silver medal

Specifically used in competitions where medals are awarded for top positions.

took second honors

Implies an awarding of second place, usually in academic or formal settings.

was the second-highest

Describes a position based on a numerical scale, rather than a competition.

FAQs

How do I use "placed second" in a sentence?

Use "placed second" to indicate that someone or something achieved the runner-up position in a competition or ranking. For example, "The team "placed second" in the championship."

What are some alternatives to saying "placed second"?

You can use alternatives like "finished as runner-up", "came in second place", or "ranked second" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "placed second" or should I use another phrase?

"Placed second" is a perfectly acceptable and common way to express that someone or something achieved the second position. It is grammatically correct and widely understood.

What's the difference between "placed second" and "finished second"?

While both phrases are very similar, "finished second" often implies a more direct competition, whereas ""placed second"" can be used in broader rankings or classifications. They are largely interchangeable in many contexts.