regain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of getting something back that was lost or taken away, such as a physical object, a skill, or a state of being. Example: "After months of rehabilitation, she was finally able to regain her strength and mobility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Opinion

Tech

World

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are currently in the process of interviewing potential board members, and our goal is to add an additional independent member this year in order to regain our 4-star rating by 2013.

The Guardian

"The word 'trust' is a huge word: how long does it take to regain trust?" asked Stewart.

The Guardian - Sport

All the companies are fighting hard to regain any trust lost with their users since the Guardian broke the news of the NSA's Prism programme.

The Guardian - Tech

If they fail to regain their customers' trust, notwithstanding how convenient, even necessary, their services may seem to us, they are finished.

The Guardian - Tech

In the long run it is good for Google to be seen not only to believe, but to act upon, this idea, for it is the only way for it to regain those users' trust.

The Guardian - Tech

Adams himself has declared his hand and will seek to regain the Sinn Féin seat in County Louth, which would give him a much higher profile in the Irish Republic's media over the next few years.

The Guardian

If last year's ceremony went down as one of the dullest ever, last night's showpiece attempted to regain some showbiz sparkle with centrepieces including a 2.8-metre mirror ball, 10,000 balloons and 30 lasers zigzagging throughout the televised show.

The Guardian - Music

One person asked whether the police had done enough to regain trust, in the six years after they had held down an innocent man and fired seven bullets into his head.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is anyone's guess when, or if, his party will regain that lost ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

So the Financial Times's splash is headlined Cameron builds on Right to Buy in effort to regain the edge from Miliband and its leading article, unimpressed with Labour's financial pledges, is headlined Miliband's belated vow to do his fiscal homework.

The Guardian

"At a time when the company is struggling to regain its footing on a number of fronts and working to attract new customers this is no time to hide from public scrutiny," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context when choosing between "regain" and synonyms like "recover" or "retrieve". "Regain" often implies a conscious effort or struggle to get something back.

Common error

Avoid using "regain" when referring to something that was never possessed in the first place. For instance, it's incorrect to say "regain knowledge" if you never had that knowledge before. Use "gain" or "acquire" instead.

Linguistic Context

The verb "regain" functions primarily to indicate the recovery of something previously lost or taken away. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe regaining trust, control, territory, or even physical abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Opinion

8%

Tech

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "regain" is a versatile term used to describe the act of getting something back after it has been lost or taken away. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. When using "regain", ensure that the object being regained was previously possessed. Synonyms like "recover", "retrieve", and "restore" can offer alternative nuances depending on the specific context. Using "regain" appropriately enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recover

Emphasizes the process of returning to a normal state after a setback.

retrieve

Suggests a more active effort to get something back, often a physical object or piece of information.

get back

A simpler, more general way to express recovering something.

win back

Implies an effort to regain something, often affection or support, that was lost.

recapture

Suggests regaining something that was taken or lost through force or difficulty.

reclaim

Indicates asserting a right to something that was lost or taken away.

repossess

Specifically refers to taking possession of something again, often property.

resume

Implies starting something again after an interruption.

re-establish

Suggests rebuilding or restoring something to its former condition.

restore

Focuses on returning something to its original or former condition.

FAQs

How is "regain" used in a sentence?

"Regain" is used to describe the act of getting something back that was lost or taken away. For example: "The team fought hard to "regain" control of the game."

What are some synonyms for "regain"?

Alternatives to "regain" include "recover", "retrieve", "get back", or "win back", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "regain trust" or "gain trust"?

"Regain trust" is appropriate when trust was previously present but has been lost. "Gain trust" is used when trust is being established for the first time.

What's the difference between "regain" and "restore"?

"Regain" implies getting something back that was lost, while "restore" focuses on returning something to its original condition. You might "regain" your health after an illness, but "restore" an old painting to its original state.