won the first prize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won the first prize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that someone has achieved by coming first in a competition. For example: "Ben won the first prize in the science fair for his project on renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

There, he won the first prize for architecture in his class, at age 25.

The New York Times - Arts

A boy from Nebraska by the name of Tommy Leonard won the first prize $1000.

The New Yorker

Maybe English players have already won the first prize in the lottery of life.

The Guardian - Sport

Her house won the first prize in the architecture exhibit for an architect under 40, or something like that.

The New Yorker

These scripts were Pushing Hands, which won the first prize, and The Wedding Banquet, which won second prize.

The Guardian - Film

His film Un Bruit Qui Rend Fou, shown in 1995, won the first prize at the San Diego film festival.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

In April, the Iranian photographer won the second prize stories in the contemporary issues category of the 2012 edition World Press Photo.

The New York Times

In order to promote this idea, the CERTH hydroprocessing research team entered a national innovation competition 'Greece Innovates' (2011) and won the second prize.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Later, they get a call and discover that instead of first prize, they won the third prize: a trip to the studios of Fox Broadcasting Company.

Wikipedia

Selfe submitted a design for a suspension bridge estimated to cost £1,128,000 and won the second prize of £500.

Wikipedia

The film was critically acclaimed and commercially successful, and won the third prize for the Best Film at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards of 2008.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing achievements in formal contexts, use "won the first prize" to clearly convey the success and level of accomplishment. This phrase is widely understood and accepted.

Common error

Avoid replacing "won the first prize" with slang or colloquial expressions, especially in professional or academic writing. Stick to the standard phrasing for clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won the first prize" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that someone has successfully achieved the top award in a competition or contest. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

19%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "won the first prize" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe achieving the top award in a competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely accepted in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, scientific and wiki sources, making it suitable for various contexts ranging from neutral to formal. When writing, ensure you maintain a consistent level of formality and avoid substituting the phrase with overly informal alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility. There are other alternative options like "secured the top award" or "was awarded first place".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was awarded first place

Focuses on the act of being awarded, rather than the winning itself.

secured the top award

Focuses on the act of securing the award, highlighting the achievement.

claimed the first honor

Emphasizes the honor associated with winning, rather than just the prize.

took home the top honors

Similar to claimed the first honor, but adds a sense of finality.

emerged victorious

Highlights the victory aspect, implying a struggle or competition.

achieved the highest distinction

Emphasizes the level of achievement and recognition.

received the premier accolade

Highlights that the recognition is regarded as top tier.

topped the competition

Highlights that the contender has overtaken all opposition.

carried off the palm

Palm is a symbol of victory or success.

prevailed in the contest

Focuses on prevailing or having more power than another.

FAQs

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

You can use "won the first prize" to describe someone's achievement in a competition. For example, "She "won the first prize" for her painting at the art competition."

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

Alternatives include "secured the top award", "was awarded first place", or "emerged victorious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "win the first prize" or "won the first prize"?

"Won the first prize" is the past tense form, used to describe an event that has already occurred. "Win the first prize" is present/future tense, indicating a potential future outcome or general possibility.

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

While similar, "won the first prize" emphasizes the reward or recognition received, while "won first place" emphasizes the position achieved in the competition. The phrases are generally interchangeable.