to regain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to regain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of getting something back that was lost or taken away, such as a physical object, a state of being, or a quality. Example: "After months of rehabilitation, she worked hard to regain her strength and mobility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To regain her smile.

The New York Times

Geoff Parling Could struggle to regain place.

Independent

Attempts to regain control were repelled.

Independent

run to regain the series points lead.

The New York Times

Tells how he managed to regain himself.

The New Yorker

Scotland appear unable to regain their poise.

Independent

"He seeks primarily to regain his touch.

Independent

We need to regain economic credibility.

Independent

He is expected to regain his voice.

The New York Times

"Europe needs to regain that lead".

The New York Times

Then they started to regain their balance".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to regain" when you want to emphasize the act of getting something back after a loss or period of absence. For example, "The athlete trained hard to regain their strength after the injury."

Common error

Avoid using "to regain" when you actually mean "to maintain". "Regain" implies a previous loss, while "maintain" implies keeping something at its current level. For instance, you "regain" your health after an illness, but you "maintain" your fitness through regular exercise.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to regain" primarily functions as an object of a verb or part of an infinitive of purpose, indicating the action of getting something back. Ludwig provides examples like "to regain her smile" or "to regain control", demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to regain" is a versatile expression used to indicate the act of getting something back after a loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. Its semantic range encompasses physical objects, abstract qualities, and states of being. While alternatives like "to recover" or "to reclaim" exist, "to regain" specifically emphasizes the process of retrieving something previously lost. Remember that while it is important to regain something, it is equally important to maintain in order to not lose it in the first place!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to recover

Focuses on getting back something lost, especially health or composure.

to reclaim

Emphasizes asserting a right or claim to get something back.

to retrieve

Suggests finding and bringing something back, often something tangible.

to recoup

Highlights recovering a loss, often financial.

to restore

Implies returning something to its original condition.

to reacquire

Formally suggests acquiring something again.

to win back

Focuses on regaining something through effort or competition.

to get back

A more informal way of saying "to regain".

to recapture

Suggests regaining something that has escaped or been taken.

to redeem

Emphasizes recovering something of value, often reputation or honor.

FAQs

How can I use "to regain" in a sentence?

You can use "to regain" to express the act of getting something back that was lost, such as "She is working hard "to regain her bearings"" or "They need "to regain trust"".

What are some alternatives to "to regain"?

Alternatives to "to regain" include "to recover", "to reclaim", or "to restore", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to regain"?

It's appropriate to use "to regain" when referring to the act of getting something back after it was lost or taken away. For example, "The company is trying "to regain its market share"".

What is the difference between "to regain" and "to maintain"?

"To regain" implies that something was lost and is being recovered, while "to maintain" means keeping something at its current state. You would use "to regain" if you lost something and are trying to get it back. For example, someone might try "to regain control" after losing it, while they would try "to maintain control" if they already have it.