secure a place in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure a place in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to ensuring your place or position in a particular field of endeavor, such as securing a place in a college or university. For example, "After scoring highly on his SATs, John was able to secure a place in his top-choice college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To secure a place in history?

The Guardian - Music

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

The New York Times - Sports

The Red Devils had done enough, though, to secure a place in round four, where they will host Fulham.

Independent

Bryan Habana's interception try in extra time helped secure a place in the European elite final for Toulon for the third year in a row.

Independent

In 1995 Zidane helped secure a place in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Cup final for his Bordeaux club.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Spurs are only two points behind league leaders Leicester while Fiorentina are third in Serie A, which would secure a place in Europe's main club competition.

Independent

West Brom last night became the final team to secure a place in the fifth round of this season's FA Cup.

Independent

Many American schools, particularly top institutions, require a nominal deposit from admitted students by May 1, to secure a place in their class.

The New York Times

Clinton managed to avoid the draft, by pulling strings to secure a place in a reserve officer training programme, that he eventually never took up.

Independent

But only with the emergence of the dancer, musician, and actor Gregory Hines did tap secure a place in the late 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It brought the game to 1-1 and the Black Cats went on to secure a place in the fifth round with a 3-1 victory.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secure a place in" when emphasizing effort, competition, or a process of ensuring one's position within a group, organization, or event. It suggests more than simple participation; it implies a degree of achievement or deliberate action.

Common error

Avoid using "secure a place in" in overly casual situations where simpler phrasing like "get a spot in" or "join" would be more appropriate. Using the phrase in such contexts can sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure a place in" functions as a verb phrase. Based on Ludwig AI, it often indicates an action taken to ensure a position or spot, highlighting the effort or process involved in obtaining it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure a place in" is a versatile and widely used expression that indicates ensuring a position or spot within a particular field or endeavor. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. As demonstrated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, it is used in a wide range of contexts, from sports and academics to professional achievements, and it usually denotes a purposeful action aimed at obtaining something desirable. When writing, use this phrase when you want to emphasize active effort and strategic positioning. Remember, as Ludwig AI indicates, the term should be considered appropriate in the majority of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guarantee a spot in

Replaces "place" with "spot", slightly more informal.

ensure a position in

Uses "position" instead of "place", suggesting a more formal or official context.

obtain a position within

Replaces "secure" with "obtain" and "in" with "within", implying a formal acquisition.

attain a position in

Substitutes "secure" with "attain", suggesting a more ambitious or challenging achievement.

earn a spot in

Emphasizes the effort required to obtain the spot; implies deservingness.

gain entry to

Focuses on the act of entering or being admitted, rather than securing a continuing place.

book your spot in

Suggests pre-arranged reservation and pre-payment, implying that the spot is a limited availability event. More informal.

reserve a space in

Similar to "book your spot", but focuses on reserving a literal space.

stake a claim in

Implies a more assertive or competitive securing of a place, often involving a challenge to others.

carve a niche in

Describes the act of creating a unique and lasting position in a specific area.

FAQs

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

You can use "secure a place in" to indicate ensuring a position or spot, as in, "She studied diligently to "secure a place in" the university's medical program."

What are some alternatives to "secure a place in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "guarantee a spot in", "ensure a position in", or "obtain a position within".

Is "secure a place in" formal or informal?

The phrase "secure a place in" is generally considered neutral to formal. More informal alternatives exist, such as "get a spot in", which are suitable for casual contexts.

Which is correct: "secure a place in" or "secured a place at"?

Both "secure a place in" and "secured a place at" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Secure a place in" refers to getting into a group or system. "Secure a place at" often refers to a physical location or event.