win favor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "win favor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when trying to describe someone achieving the approval or good opinion of another person or group of people. For example: The candidate tried to win favor with his constituents by making promises to reduce taxes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The immoderation of his policies, used to win favor with a hard-right party, cannot be disguised.

The New York Times

This prescriptive approach to English did not win favor everywhere.

The New York Times

To win favor, Maria was capable of acts of enormous rashness.

The New Yorker

What better way to win favor with voters than to oppose taxes?

The New York Times

Politicians, among others, know this and try to use these biases to win favor.

The Washington Post

Internet wags called it a tin-eared attempt to win favor with an ethnic group, or worse, an insult.

The New York Times

Throughout his testimony, Mr. Murdoch adamantly denied ever using his considerable political influence to win favor for his business interests.

The New York Times

Prosecutors have suggested he was trying to win favor with agents to help win asylum in this country.

The New York Times

Other entrants had obviously studied the works of the jurors and attempted to win favor by adopting their design vocabulary.

The New York Times

Opponents accused lawmakers of pushing the legislation to win favor with the National Rifle Association and gain political advantage in November's election.

The Washington Post

The proposed change would win favor with one of Mr. Netanyahu's vital coalition partners, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who leads the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "win favor" in contexts where more direct or transparent language is appropriate. Sometimes, simpler terms like "gain support" or "earn respect" can be more effective.

Common error

While "win favor" is generally acceptable, overusing it in formal writing can make your tone seem manipulative or insincere. Opt for more neutral terms like "gain support" or "earn approval" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "win favor" typically functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of gaining approval or support from someone or something. The numerous examples provided in Ludwig illustrate its usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

Forbes

3%

Los Angeles Times

3%

Vice

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "win favor" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of gaining approval or support. As Ludwig AI states, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific connotations and choose more precise alternatives like "gain approval" or "garner support" when appropriate. Overusing "win favor" in formal writing can also diminish its impact. Be mindful of your audience and the tone you wish to convey when incorporating this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

win support

Directly refers to obtaining assistance or backing through persuasion or merit.

gain approval

Focuses on the attainment of formal or official agreement or acceptance.

curry favor

Suggests an attempt to ingratiate oneself, often through flattery or subservience.

gain acceptance

Highlights the achievement of being recognized and included within a group or situation.

ingratiate oneself

Emphasizes the act of deliberately trying to gain someone's good graces.

garner support

Indicates the accumulation of assistance or backing for a cause or idea.

seek approval

Implies actively looking for agreement or permission.

attract support

Focuses on drawing in assistance or backing through appeal or merit.

gain popularity

Suggests becoming well-liked or widely accepted among a larger group.

get in good graces

Highlights the act of making someone pleased and supportive.

FAQs

How can I use "win favor" in a sentence?

You can use "win favor" to describe actions taken to gain approval or support from someone. For example, "The politician attempted to "win favor" with voters by promising tax cuts."

What are some alternatives to "win favor"?

You can use alternatives like "gain approval", "curry favor", or "gain support" depending on the context.

Is "win favor" appropriate for formal writing?

While "win favor" is generally acceptable, it might sound less direct than alternatives like "gain approval" or "secure support" in formal settings. Consider the tone and audience.

What's the difference between "win favor" and "curry favor"?

"Win favor" generally implies earning approval through positive actions or qualities, while "curry favor" suggests trying to gain approval through flattery or insincere behavior.