secure their place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure their place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to ensuring someone's position or status in a particular context, such as a competition, event, or organization. Example: "To ensure they are part of the final selection, the candidates must perform well in the interview to secure their place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Middlesbrough overcame the challenge of Italian giants Roma last night to secure their place in the Uefa Cup quarter-finals.

Independent

The national team will secure their place at South Africa 2010 by beating Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday night.

The Guardian - Sport

Chelsea need just one win to all but secure their place in the top four which will grant them the Champions League qualification they so desire.

Independent

After suffering their first defeat in nine Europa League games, Tottenham have much to do in order to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Independent

Last Wednesday in Paris, England pulled out a premier performance to beat Ireland 40-7, and secure their place in Sunday's final against Canada.

The Guardian - Sport

Sulloway's theory argues that personality is the repertoire of strategies that siblings use to compete with one another and secure their place in the family.

The New Yorker

MORE Hull FC secure Wembley date Hull FC surprisingly beat holders Warrington 16-12 to secure their place in next month's Challenge Cup final.

Independent

In a group containing Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria and Malta, Azerbaijan retain an outside chance of finishing third, which would secure their place in a play-off.

The Guardian - Sport

If Ukraine win, which is unlikely but not impossible, then Italy will need to beat them on 18 July to secure their place.

The Guardian - Sport

There has been unease within sections of the party that the three candidates to secure their place in the race are all white males who studied at Oxford.

The Guardian

Verizon executives may want to make good middle-class jobs a thing of the past, but we strikers are determined to secure their place in the digital age.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about competitive scenarios, use "secure their place" to highlight the actions taken to guarantee a favorable outcome or position. For instance, "The team worked tirelessly to secure their place in the finals".

Common error

Avoid using "secure their place" in contexts where there is no element of competition or achievement involved. Instead of saying "They secured their place at the library", consider using "They found a spot at the library".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure their place" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action taken to ensure a specific position or status. It aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show it used in contexts where individuals or groups are trying to guarantee their participation or standing in some way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secure their place" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to describe the act of ensuring a specific position or status, often in competitive contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and examples show its common use in news and media reporting, especially in sports and business. While generally neutral in register, leaning towards professional, it’s crucial to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in non-competitive scenarios. Alternatives such as "guarantee their spot" or "cement their position" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guarantee their spot

Focuses on ensuring a specific position, implying a sense of certainty.

ensure their qualification

Emphasizes meeting the necessary criteria to be considered suitable or eligible.

cement their position

Suggests making their current position stable and long-lasting.

assure their participation

Highlights guaranteeing involvement in an event or activity.

nail down their spot

An informal way of saying to secure a position with determination and finality.

lock in their berth

Implies a definitive and irreversible action to secure a place, often in a competition or selection process.

clinch their entitlement

Focuses on definitively obtaining a right or benefit.

affirm their standing

Stresses the validation and confirmation of one's status or reputation.

validate their inclusion

Highlights the act of confirming or justifying someone's belonging or membership.

solidify their status

Indicates strengthening and reinforcing their standing or rank.

FAQs

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

Use "secure their place" to describe actions taken to guarantee a position or status, especially in competitive situations. For example, "The athlete trained rigorously to "secure their place" in the Olympics".

What are some alternatives to "secure their place"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "guarantee their spot", "ensure their qualification", or "cement their position".

Is it correct to say "secure its place" instead of "secure their place"?

Yes, the correct pronoun depends on the subject. Use "secure its place" when referring to a singular, non-gendered entity, and "secure their place" when referring to a plural entity.

What's the difference between "secure their place" and "take their place"?

"Secure their place" implies ensuring or guaranteeing a position, often through effort or competition. "Take their place", on the other hand, simply means to occupy a position, often replacing someone else.