which gained him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which gained him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone received a benefit, recognition, or advantage as a result of a specific action or situation. Example: "His innovative ideas were well-received, which gained him the respect of his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Young rejoined Basie's band in 1944 which gained him brief popular recognition before being drafted into the army.

Columbia University

Even more important, however, were the data, which gained him an international reputation as a plant geographer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Barack Obama had the opportunity to be that after his Prague speech, which gained him a Nobel Peace Prize.

The Guardian

In 1993, even Yasir Arafat had to turn to peace talks with Israel, which gained him America's blessing.

The New York Times

He also won over a new generation of fans when he starred in the children's series "Shining Time Station," which gained him a 1988 Emmy nomination.

The New York Times

Gorey, who died in April 2000 at the age of 75, was known for often macabre drawings and picture-stories which gained him a worldwide cult following.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Eric Kokish of Canada is this year's winner of the American Contract Bridge League's Blackwood Award for long-term service to bridge, which gains him admission to the league's Hall of Fame.

The New York Times

But it is precisely this intransigence on his own part which gains him his audience, giving voice to a deep-rooted part of English culture.

The Guardian - Books

It was Valentine who taught Timothy how to talk "flash," which gains him entree into brothels and thieves' dens and a rehearsal of "The Thrilling, Gruesome and Bloody Spectacle of the Battle of Agincourt" being produced by a gang of newsboys.

The New York Times - Books

He learns to speak the local dialect of Chinese, and after some months of confinement is summoned before the mandarin to give an account of himself and his arrival in China, which gains him the mandarin's trust and favour.

Wikipedia

In foreign affairs his skill had led to 20 years of peace in Europe, which had gained him a deserved reputation for moderation and a sense of limits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which gained him" to clearly link an action or event to a positive outcome or benefit for the subject. This helps to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that gained him" when "which gained him" is grammatically correct because it follows a nonrestrictive clause. "Which" is appropriate when the clause adds extra, non-essential information. For example: 'His innovative project, which gained him recognition, was truly exceptional'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which gained him" functions as a relative clause, modifying a preceding noun or noun phrase. It introduces additional information about the subject, indicating a consequence or benefit they received. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

24%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which gained him" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to connect an action or event to a positive consequence or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Its usage is particularly frequent in news and encyclopedic contexts, making it suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure it appropriately links the cause and effect, and consider alternatives such as "that earned him" or "that brought him" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Avoid replacing "which" with "that" incorrectly, especially in nonrestrictive clauses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that earned him

Focuses on the idea of deserving something through effort or action, instead of a neutral gaining.

that brought him

Emphasizes the act of something causing him to receive something.

resulting in him receiving

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship leading to the reception of something.

that led to him obtaining

Focuses on the sequential nature of events, emphasizing the path to obtaining something.

consequently giving him

Indicates a direct consequence that resulted in him getting something.

which provided him with

Shifts the focus to the provision of something beneficial or advantageous.

that afforded him

Implies the provision of an opportunity or advantage.

that won him

Highlights gaining something through competition or merit.

leading to his acquisition of

Emphasizes the process of acquiring something as a result of a previous action.

that secured for him

Focuses on the aspect of ensuring or guaranteeing something for him.

FAQs

How can I use "which gained him" in a sentence?

Use "which gained him" to connect an action or achievement to a positive result or recognition. For instance, "His dedication to the project, which gained him the respect of his colleagues, was evident".

What are some alternatives to "which gained him"?

You can use alternatives like "that earned him", "resulting in him receiving", or "that brought him" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that gained him" instead of "which gained him"?

While both can sometimes be used, "which gained him" is generally preferred in nonrestrictive clauses—clauses that add extra information but aren't essential to the sentence's meaning. Using "that gained him" might imply the clause is essential.

What's the difference between "which gained him" and "that earned him"?

"Which gained him" generally refers to a result or outcome, whereas "that earned him" suggests that the result was deserved through effort or merit. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the deserving aspect.