won second prize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won second prize" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to talk about a person or group who have won second prize in a competition, or to express congratulations if someone has won second prize. For example, "Congratulations to the Smith family on winning second prize in the County Fair baking competition!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He won second prize in German.

The New Yorker

Bert Lomas (as he was then styled) won second prize.

The Guardian - Books

Miss Watanabe had won second prize in that Tokyo competition.

The New York Times - Arts

In the lineup at the end of the show, my performance won second prize.

The New Yorker

I wrote my first short story for a competition and won second prize.

The Guardian - Books

In 1922 he won second prize in a competition to build an office tower for the Chicago Tribune.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He won first prize.

The New Yorker

Mr Eckardstein won third prize only.

The Economist

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

The New Yorker

In April 1958, he won first prize at the Moscow National Classical Ballet Contest.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting competition results, use "won second prize" to clearly and concisely indicate the runner-up achievement. It is easily understood and widely accepted.

Common error

While "won second place" might seem similar, "won second prize" is the more standard and grammatically sound way to express the achievement of receiving the second prize in a competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won second prize" functions as a verb phrase indicating an achievement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and can be used in written English to describe the act of receiving the second prize in a competition or contest.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "won second prize" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote achieving the second-highest honor in a competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. Its usage spans various contexts, most notably News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives exist, "won second prize" remains a clear and concise way to communicate this specific accomplishment. When reporting on competitive results, it's advisable to use this standard phrasing for clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

placed second overall

Focuses on the final ranking after all competition rounds.

finished in second place

Highlights the final ranking in a competition.

took the second spot

Emphasizes the act of occupying the second rank.

was the second-place winner

Identifies the person as the recipient of the second-place award.

came in as runner-up

Emphasizes being the immediate next after the first.

secured the second position

Emphasizes the act of obtaining the second ranking.

received the second award

Highlights the act of being given an award for second place.

achieved runner-up status

Focuses on the outcome of being the second-best performer.

claimed the second honor

Stresses the prestige associated with the second-place achievement.

earned the silver medal

Uses the metaphor of a silver medal to represent second place.

FAQs

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

You can use "won second prize" to describe someone who achieved the second-best result in a competition. For example, "She "won second prize" in the national spelling bee."

What's an alternative to saying "won second prize"?

Alternatives include "finished in second place", "achieved runner-up status", or "secured the second position".

Is it correct to say "won second place" instead of "won second prize"?

While "won second place" is understandable, "won second prize" is generally considered the more grammatically correct and formal way to express the achievement.

What does it mean when someone "won second prize"?

It means they performed well enough in a competition to be awarded the second-best prize or recognition, indicating they were the runner-up.