won first prize

USAGE SUMMARY

'won first prize' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has received the highest honors in a particular competition. For example: Sarah won first prize in the outdoor photography contest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He won first prize.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Stanley J. Halle's "Signal Circuit" won first prize.

The New Yorker

I was more than surprised that I'd won first prize".

The New York Times

"Or, at least, won first prize for her bread!

The New Yorker

Another competition came up and I won first prize.

The Guardian - Books

In October, the Wattbug, left, won first prize, $5,000.

The New York Times

She won first prize: the publication of her first book.

The New Yorker

They won first prize: $7,500 toward flying lessons.

The New York Times

Then he won first prize in a poetry competition.

The New York Times

Randy Stockham, of Havana, won first prize, fourteen hundred dollars.

The New Yorker

The film won first prize for a documentary at that year's Venice Film Festival.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "won first prize", ensure the context clearly indicates the competition or event in which the prize was won. This prevents ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using the present tense when describing a past event. Instead of saying 'He wins first prize', use 'He won first prize' to accurately reflect that the achievement has already occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won first prize" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion of a competitive event, resulting in the highest level of recognition. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in conveying achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "won first prize" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of achieving the highest honor in a competition or contest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across diverse contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the specific competition. Alternatives such as "came in first place" or "secured top honors" can be used for variety, while maintaining clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came in first place

Focuses on the specific finishing position.

secured top honors

Emphasizes the act of obtaining the highest recognition.

took the top spot

Informal way of saying someone achieved the highest position in a competition.

achieved the highest rank

Focuses on the ranking aspect of the achievement.

emerged victorious

Highlights the triumph and success in winning the competition.

triumphed in the competition

Emphasizes the overall success and victory.

clinched the gold medal

Specifically used when referring to a competition where gold medals are awarded.

was the victor

A more formal way of stating that someone won.

grabbed the first-place trophy

Implies the physical act of receiving the trophy for winning.

dominated the event and won

Highlights how a person commanded the event before winning.

FAQs

How can I use "won first prize" in a sentence?

You can use "won first prize" to describe someone who achieved the highest honor in a competition. For example: "She "won first prize" in the photography contest."

What are some alternatives to saying "won first prize"?

Some alternatives include "came in first place", "secured top honors", or "took the top spot", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "win first prize"?

While "win first prize" is grammatically correct, ""won first prize"" is used when describing a past event. "Win first prize" implies a future or habitual action.

What's the difference between "won first prize" and "won the first prize"?

"Won first prize" is more common and generally preferred. "Won the first prize" implies there were multiple first prizes, or the first prize was specifically named or known beforehand.