secure a place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure a place" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you can use this phrase to describe someone's effort to obtain a good job or position. For example, "He worked very hard to secure a place in the finance department of a prestigious company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To secure a place in history?

The Guardian - Music

Society splintered as people rushed to secure a place at the coveted middle-class table.

The New York Times

The large number who fail to secure a place guarantees a demand for private providers.

The New York Times

England can secure a place in the 2014 finals in Brazil with a victory.

The New York Times - Sports

The event is free, but places are limited so please RSVP to secure a place.

Harvard University

Since that week, I've been determined to secure a place to study Medicine at university.

The Guardian

"Sarah overcame personal heartbreak and serious injury to secure a place with Team GB last summer.

The Guardian - Sport

On the worst days he would deliberately get arrested to secure a place for the night.

The New York Times

The aim, to secure a place at the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda.

The Guardian - Sport

It took me two years of applying to finally secure a place on a PGCE.

The Guardian

Endrit Metolli celebrates after Albania secure a place at Euro 2016.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secure a place", ensure the context clarifies what specific type of place is being obtained, whether it's a university spot, a competition entry, or a seat on a train.

Common error

Avoid using "secure a place" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "obtain", "attain", or "achieve" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure a place" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. Ludwig examples show its versatility in describing efforts to obtain something desired, be it a physical location, a spot in a competition, or an academic opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Sport

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secure a place" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of successfully obtaining or ensuring a position, spot, or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media, Academia and Sport contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the specific context and choose synonyms like "obtain a position" or "reserve a spot" for more formal writing. Ensure clarity by specifying what "place" refers to and avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Ludwig examples show its diverse applications, from academic admissions to sporting achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guarantee a spot

Emphasizes ensuring a spot is reserved, differing slightly in formality.

reserve a spot

Highlights the act of reserving something in advance.

assure a spot

Focuses on making a spot certain for someone.

obtain a position

Focuses on acquiring a more formal or official role.

earn a position

Emphasizes that the position was achieved as a result of efforts.

book a space

Implies making a reservation for a physical space.

arrange a position

Highlights making arrangement to have a position.

gain entry

Focuses on the act of entering or being admitted to something.

win a berth

Suggests achieving a position, often in a competitive context.

procure a location

More formal, suggesting a careful or deliberate effort to obtain a location.

FAQs

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

You can use "secure a place" to describe the act of obtaining something, such as "She worked hard to "gain entry" to the university", or "The team won the match to "guarantee a spot" in the finals".

What are some alternatives to "secure a place"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "obtain a position", "reserve a spot", or "book a space".

Is "secure a place" formal or informal?

"Secure a place" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic writing.

What does it mean to "secure a place"?

To "secure a place" means to successfully obtain or ensure a position, spot, or opportunity, often through effort or competition. It implies making something certain or guaranteed.