which secured him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which secured him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that provided someone with a certain advantage, position, or benefit. Example: "His impressive performance in the competition was the key factor which secured him a scholarship to the prestigious university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"The process by which that election, which secured him leadership took place was bizarre," he told the BBC.

Independent

In 1976, Fischer won the Rupert Foundation competition, in London, which secured him guest-conducting gigs all over the world.

The New Yorker

While he was mayor of Paris, the ambitious young politician built up his party into a formidable electoral machine which secured him the presidency in 1995.

The Economist

Miles Hyman, however, arrived at 5 a.m., which secured him a spot first in line outside the parking gate, where players like Jeter roll down their car windows as they are leaving to sign autographs.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Dern gives a flawless performance, which secured him an acting prize at this year's Cannes film festival, but it's an understated one, with none of the histrionics which tend to attract award voters.

The Economist

He wrote a story called "Vacation '58" — inspired by his own family trips — which secured him a job at the magazine and became the basis for the movie "National Lampoon's Vacation".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Shortly after we speak, the former Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev pays a surprise visit to the Standard's offices, delivering a speech to staff in the newsroom - which secures him plenty of positive coverage in his friend Lebedev's title.

The Guardian

However, three times he rises from the mat, stands to face his opponent and lands the kicks which secure him a guaranteed bronze medal.

BBC

And then they moved from Thrill Jockey to the august indie label 4AD, which secured them the Letterman slot.

The Guardian - Music

Popova was born into a wealthy family of Moscow factory owners, which secured her a quality art education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An 82nd minute substitute, Gibbs was unable to prevent a late Gillingham goal, which secured them a 3 2 victory.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which secured him" to clearly link an action or event to a positive outcome for a specific person. This is useful for highlighting cause-and-effect relationships in narrative or analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that secured him" when a non-restrictive clause is intended. "Which secured him" is appropriate when the clause provides additional, non-essential information about the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which secured him" functions as a relative clause, specifically a non-restrictive clause. It adds extra information about the noun it modifies without being essential to the sentence's core meaning. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which secured him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used relative clause. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to explain how someone obtained a specific benefit or achievement. It's most frequently found in news and encyclopedic sources, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that "which" is used correctly for non-restrictive clauses to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Consider alternatives like "that guaranteed him" or "leading to him receiving" to refine the specific nuance you intend to convey. The examples provided by Ludwig offer valuable context for understanding its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that guaranteed him

Emphasizes certainty of the outcome, implying a stronger level of assurance.

that ensured his

Highlights the action's role in making a particular outcome inevitable.

leading to him receiving

Focuses on the consequence of an action, specifically him getting something.

resulting in his attainment of

More formal and emphasizes the attainment or achievement as a result.

that facilitated his acquisition of

Highlights the act of obtaining something with relative ease

that enabled him to get

Highlights the act of getting something with relative ease

that helped him obtain

Highlights how that benefited the person to get that thing.

that brought him

More concise and focuses on the immediate result of the action.

that afforded him

Implies providing an opportunity or advantage.

by virtue of which he gained

More formal and emphasizes the legal or rightful basis of the gain.

FAQs

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

Use "which secured him" to add a clause that explains how someone achieved something, such as, "He wrote a story called 'Vacation '58'—inspired by his own family trips—"which secured him" a job at the magazine".

What are some alternatives to "which secured him"?

You can use alternatives like "that guaranteed him", "that ensured his", or "leading to him receiving" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "which secured him" or "that secured him"?

"Which secured him" is used in non-restrictive clauses that add extra information, while "that secured him" is used in restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence. Choose based on whether the clause is essential or additional information.

What is the difference between "which helped him" and "which secured him"?

"Which helped him" implies assistance, while "which secured him" suggests a more definitive outcome or guarantee. The choice depends on the strength of the causal relationship you want to express.