secure a seat

USAGE SUMMARY

"secure a seat" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of situations to indicate the acquisition of a particular item or position, such as in the following sentence: "Tom worked hard all semester, so he was eager to secure a seat on the Dean's List."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It tallied just 3 percent in 2010, not enough to secure a seat in Parliament.

The New York Times

It was Miller's second attempt to secure a seat in the Senate.

The Guardian

A large list of clients can help secure a seat on the committee.

The New York Times

Turkey has asked America to help it secure a seat at the TTIP table (in vain).

The Economist

Marian Krzaklewski, a Solidarity firebrand from the past, failed to secure a seat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Visiting Beijing's now-disbanded Shouwang church late last summer, I struggled to secure a seat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their muscle can secure a seat when appeals to voters' caste, ideology and self-interest are not enough.

The Economist

"Baby on board" badges can be ordered from TfL to help mothers-to-be secure a seat without embarrassment.

The Guardian

To secure a seat then, a candidate had to win at least 25percentt of the votes.

The New York Times

The No Land Tax party is on course to secure a seat in the New South Wales upper house.

The Guardian

The purpose of his "clear and unequivocal" promise was to overcome such reservations and secure a seat in the Lords.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about competitive scenarios, using "secure a seat" adds a sense of achievement and success, as it implies overcoming challenges to obtain that position.

Common error

Avoid using "secure a seat" when simply reserving a spot without any implied effort or competition. For example, booking a table at a restaurant is usually just "reserving" not "securing" it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure a seat" functions as a verb phrase, where "secure" is a transitive verb and "a seat" is its direct object. The phrase describes the action of obtaining or guaranteeing a position or spot, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secure a seat" is a commonly used verb phrase that signifies the act of obtaining a desired spot, position, or membership. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the nuance of achievement and effort implied. For situations where a more casual tone is appropriate, consider alternatives such as "get a spot" or "reserve a seat". This ensures that your writing is not only grammatically sound but also contextually appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guarantee a place

Highlights the assurance of having a spot, emphasizing certainty.

obtain a position

Focuses on getting a job or role; broadens the scope from physical seats.

get a spot

A more informal way to express obtaining a place.

procure a seat

A more formal and less common way to say "secure a seat".

reserve a spot

Implies a prior arrangement to hold a place, mainly for events or transport.

capture a seat

Emphasizes the act of seizing a seat, often in a competitive context.

win a position

Suggests earning a role through competition or merit.

earn a position

Highlights the effort and merit involved in getting a position.

book a seat

Specifically used for reserving seats, like on a train or at a theater.

gain access

Focuses on acquiring entry or opportunity.

FAQs

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

You can use "secure a seat" to describe obtaining something desirable, like "She worked hard to "secure a seat" on the committee" or "They queued for hours to "secure a seat" at the concert".

What does "secure a seat" mean?

"Secure a seat" means to successfully obtain a position, spot, or membership, often through effort or competition. It implies a sense of achievement in getting something desirable.

Which is correct, "secure a seat" or "secure the seat"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Secure a seat" refers to obtaining one of many available seats or positions. "Secure the seat" implies obtaining a specific, already identified seat or position.

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

Alternatives include "obtain a position", "guarantee a place", or "reserve a spot", depending on the context.