secure a contract

USAGE SUMMARY

"secure a contract" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to making an agreement or a deal. For example, "The company worked hard to secure a contract with their top client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

On Friday, he called the maintenance firm to secure a contract.

The New York Times

Another SME challenged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after failing to secure a contract.

The Guardian

Now he is a free agent expecting to secure a contract at least as lucrative as the Tigers' preseason offer.

The New York Times - Sports

Between 2007 and 2011, the company was particularly keen to try to secure a contract to sell three industrial turbines.

The Guardian - Business

Unaoil represented Rolls-Royce in Kazakhstan from 2008, attempting to secure a contract to contribute to the China-Kazakhstan pipeline.

The Guardian - Business

Specifically, the film's subject is the competition, filled with intrigue and blackmail, to secure a contract for a pipeline that will transport natural gas from Russia to Germany.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He "won the brief" — industry parlance for securing a contract.

The New Yorker

"Drift Away" was recorded in 1973 after Mr. Gray, attempting a comeback, secured a contract with MCA Records.

The New York Times - Arts

About this time it also secured a contract to produce glass lightbulbs for Edison General Electric.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The following year, O'Connor secured a contract for "Wise Blood," with Holt, Rinehart.

The New Yorker

In 1829 he secured a contract there for a series of new operas, along with a coveted lifetime pension.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about business or legal matters, use "secure a contract" to emphasize the effort and strategy involved in obtaining a formal agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "secure a contract" in very informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "get a deal" when formality isn't needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure a contract" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of successfully obtaining a formal agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it used in various professional and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure a contract" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe the act of successfully obtaining a formal agreement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it conveys the effort and strategy involved in the process. While "win a contract", "obtain a contract", and "land a contract" serve as effective alternatives, it's crucial to maintain formality in professional settings and choose simpler phrases for informal scenarios. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication and avoids potential misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

win a contract

Focuses on the competitive aspect of obtaining a contract.

obtain a contract

A more formal and general way of saying "secure a contract".

land a contract

Implies a successful effort in getting a contract, often after competition.

get a contract

A simpler and more direct way of saying "secure a contract".

procure a contract

More formal, emphasizing the process of acquiring the contract.

seal a deal

Focuses on the finalization of an agreement, often a contract.

close a contract

Emphasizes the completion and signing of the contract.

negotiate a contract

Highlights the negotiation process leading to a contract.

finalize an agreement

Focuses on the ultimate agreement, which might be formalized in a contract.

arrange a deal

Suggests a pre-arranged agreement that may or may not be completely formalized as a contract.

FAQs

How can I use "secure a contract" in a sentence?

You can use "secure a contract" to describe the act of successfully obtaining a formal agreement, for example: "The company worked hard to secure a contract with its top client."

What can I say instead of "secure a contract"?

You can use alternatives like "win a contract", "obtain a contract", or "land a contract" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "secure for a contract" instead of "secure a contract"?

No, the correct phrasing is "secure a contract". The preposition "for" is not needed and changes the meaning.

What is the difference between "secure a contract" and "sign a contract"?

"Secure a contract" refers to the process of obtaining the agreement, while "sign a contract" refers to the act of formally agreeing to the terms by signing the document. Securing happens before signing.