took first place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took first place" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about someone or something taking a top place or ranking in a competition or rating, such as a race or a grading system. For example, "The Olympic swimmer took first place in the backstroke event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He took first place.

The New Yorker

The film took first place.

The New Yorker

Thibaut Ruggieri, a Frenchman, took first place.

The New York Times - Food

The team from Germany took first place this year.

The New York Times

The Masterman School of Philadelphia took first place.

The New York Times

He took first place and won $10,000.

The New York Times

Google Maps also took first place when it came to searching for a destination.

The New York Times - Tech

The centre-right UMP, led by Nicolas Sarkozy, took first place.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The second mammalian genome--humans took first place--has been sequenced and analyzed, and a third is not far behind.

Science Magazine

Fuel took second place.

The Guardian - Business

She took fifth place, just behind Batman.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took first place", ensure it's clear what the subject competed in and against whom or what. Providing context makes the achievement more meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "took first place" without specifying the competition or category. It's not enough to say someone "took first place"; clarify what they won first place in.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took first place" functions as a verb phrase indicating the attainment of the highest position in a competition or ranking. It is used to describe a completed action of winning, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took first place" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something has won a competition or achieved the highest ranking. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, but its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the context is clear and that the competition or achievement is well-defined. Alternatives like "won first prize" or "came in first" can provide variety while maintaining the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

won first prize

Replaces 'place' with 'prize', focusing on the reward aspect of winning.

ranked number one

Directly states the ranking achieved.

came in first

Employs a more casual and conversational tone to express the same outcome.

achieved the top spot

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate reaching the highest position.

secured the victory

Highlights the act of winning or ensuring a win.

finished in the lead

Focuses on the act of completing a competition ahead of others.

emerged as the champion

Emphasizes the idea of overcoming others to become the best.

clinched first position

Stresses the decisiveness and security of achieving first place.

topped the leaderboard

Specifically used in contexts where rankings are visually displayed.

dominated the competition

Implies a strong and overwhelming performance leading to winning.

FAQs

How can I use "took first place" in a sentence?

Use "took first place" to indicate that someone or something won a competition or achieved the highest ranking. For example, "The athlete "took first place" in the marathon."

What are some alternatives to "took first place"?

You can use alternatives like "won first prize", "achieved the top spot", or "came in first" to express the same idea.

Is it correct to say "take first place" or should I say "took first place"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "take first place" for general statements or future events. Use ""took first place"" to describe an event that already happened.

What does it mean when someone "took first place"?

It means they won a competition, race, or contest and achieved the highest ranking or position among all participants. They outperformed all others in that specific event.