stood to gain

USAGE SUMMARY

"stood to gain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that someone had the potential to gain something. For example: "The company stood to gain immense profits if the merger was successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

So he stood to gain from the debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

True, some investors stood to gain from Lehman's demise.

The New York Times

News Limited reportedly stood to gain if the legislation failed.

The New York Times

Who stood to gain or lose depending on the outcome?

The New York Times

But while, as he saw it, he stood to gain Marie-Ange, his cronies stood to gain very little.

The New Yorker

Saving Chrysler, he added, could further harm General Motors, which stood to gain market share.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Who stands to gain?

The Guardian

What does she stand to gain?

Independent

What did he stand to gain?

The New York Times

Who stands to gain the most?

The New York Times

Google stands to gain much from Motorola.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stood to gain" when you want to emphasize the potential benefit or advantage someone might receive as a result of a particular situation or action.

Common error

Avoid using "stood to gain" when the outcome is uncertain or speculative. The phrase implies a reasonable expectation of benefit, not just a remote possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stood to gain" functions as a verb phrase indicating the potential for advantage or benefit as a result of a particular action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It describes a state of being in a position to receive something positive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stood to gain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the potential for advantage or benefit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media sources, but also appears in academic and formal business contexts. The phrase implies a reasonable expectation of a positive outcome, and writers should avoid using it in speculative scenarios. Alternatives include "stood to profit" and "had the potential to benefit".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stood to profit

Emphasizes financial benefit, similar to gaining money or assets.

had the potential to benefit

Focuses on the inherent possibility of receiving a positive outcome.

stood to receive

Focuses on the act of being given something, either tangible or intangible.

was in line for an advantage

Highlights the expectation or probability of receiving a benefit.

was poised to acquire

Suggests readiness and anticipation of obtaining something, not necessarily material.

was set to secure

Indicates a planned or likely achievement of a gain.

stood a good chance of winning

Highlights the probability of a favorable outcome.

was likely to obtain

Expresses a high probability of receiving something positive.

was in a position to capitalize

Focuses on leveraging an opportunity for personal gain.

had an opportunity to exploit

Highlights the potential to take advantage of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "stood to gain" in a sentence?

Use "stood to gain" to indicate that someone was in a position where they could potentially benefit from a particular situation. For example: "The company "stood to gain" a significant market share with the new product launch."

What's a good alternative to "stood to gain"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives such as "stood to profit", "had the potential to benefit", or "was likely to obtain".

What is the nuance of "stood to gain" compared to "stood to benefit"?

"Stood to gain" often implies a more tangible or measurable advantage, such as financial profit or market share. "Stood to benefit" is broader and can encompass less concrete advantages, such as increased reputation or improved relationships.

Is it correct to say "standed to gain" instead of "stood to gain"?

No, "standed to gain" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past tense of "stand" in this context is "stood". Therefore, the correct phrase is "stood to gain".