secure advantage

USAGE SUMMARY

"secure advantage" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to obtain or gain a positive outcome or benefit from a situation. Example: The new marketing strategy helped the company secure a competitive advantage in the market.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The overriding concern to secure advantage over opponents displayed by Clinton's team in the document could be embarrassing as she considers mounting a second presidential campaign in 2016.

The Guardian

But Colorado's seemingly secure advantage was erased 35 seconds later, when Pat Verbeek scored after knocking the puck out of the air in front of the goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Byers, the former transportation minister, told the interviewer that he was like a "cab for hire" and charged $7,500 a day for using his contacts to secure advantage for companies.

The New York Times

The mimic adopts certain of the recognition marks of its model in order to secure advantage over the model itself or over a third species that interacts with the model.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his current role as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Union Pacific, Tennison has been working to commercialize internal software and leverage corporate assets to secure advantage in a competitive industry.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Guardian in June revealed GCHQ had engaged in extensive surveillance efforts against G20 delegates in 2009, including in order to secure advantages in trade talks and bilaterals.

The Guardian

The last time I mentioned the f-word in this newspaper, an anonymous online fan commented: "Feminism's goals are to demonise men, control and bully women, and secure advantages for feminists.

Independent

Documents that were supposedly published in 2009 were revealed to have been published in 2015 then backdated; a private key linked with the name Satoshi Nakamoto was described as being created in 2008, but using a version of the encryption software only released in 2014; and Wright had, one email suggested, been name-dropping Nakamoto to secure advantages in tax cases and political lobbying.

The Guardian - Tech

And more questions would be raised by the documentation that led to the latest allegations: how could Wright have stayed secret for so long if he was willing to bandy Nakamoto's name around to secure advantages in tax cases and political lobbying, as one email suggests?

The Guardian - Tech

Fans of HBO's Oz will recall that Ryan O'Reilly, the Machiavellian character played by Dean Winters the guy in all those AllState insurance TV spots—had sex with at least one guard to secure advantages inside.

Vice

Calarco followed students for three years -- from 3rd to 5th grade -- and specifically examined those children's role in how they try to secure advantages for themselves in the classroom.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, be specific about what type of "advantage" is being "secured". This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "secure advantage" repetitively in formal documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "gain an edge" or "obtain a benefit" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure advantage" functions as a verb phrase where "secure" acts as a transitive verb taking "advantage" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms it is a standard English construction. Examples in Ludwig show it commonly describes strategic actions aimed at gaining a beneficial position.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure advantage" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies obtaining a beneficial position or competitive edge. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is generally appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both professional and general communication. To enhance clarity and impact, specify the type of "advantage" being secured and avoid repetitive use in formal writing. Consider synonymous alternatives like "gain an edge" or "obtain a benefit" to diversify your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain an upper hand

This implies achieving a dominant or controlling position.

acquire an edge

This suggests gaining a slight but significant advantage.

obtain a benefit

This focuses on receiving a positive outcome or gain.

achieve a favorable outcome

This emphasizes attaining a positive result.

capitalize on an opportunity

This focuses on leveraging a specific chance for gain.

exploit a strength

This refers to using a particular asset to one's benefit.

leverage resources

This highlights the strategic use of available assets.

exploit an opportunity

Taking advantage of a circumstance.

gain ground

Progress towards a goal.

take the lead

Assuming a position of control or dominance.

FAQs

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

You can use "secure advantage" to describe the act of gaining a beneficial position, such as "The company invested heavily in research to "secure advantage" over its competitors".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "secure advantage"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "secure advantage" include "gain an edge", "obtain a benefit", or "achieve a favorable outcome".

Is it more appropriate to say "secure an advantage" or "secure advantage"?

Both forms are grammatically correct, but "secure an advantage" is more common when referring to a singular, specific advantage. "Secure advantage" is used in a broader or more general sense.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "secure advantage"?

The phrase "secure advantage" is appropriate in business, politics, sports, and general discussions where gaining a competitive edge or beneficial position is relevant.