won the race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won the race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has achieved victory in a competitive event, specifically a race. Example: "After months of training, she finally won the race and celebrated with her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You've won the race.

The New York Times - Sports

DiVincenzo won the race.

The New Yorker

Scott Dixon won the race.

The New York Times - Sports

A Democrat won the race.

The Economist

(He also won the race).

The New York Times

Ms. McCormack won the race.

The New York Times

The Spaniard won the race.

Independent

Edwards won the race.

The New York Times - Sports

We won the race".

The New York Times - Sports

He won the race.

The New York Times

I won the race.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "won the race" to clearly and directly state that someone achieved victory in a competitive event. This phrase is widely understood and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While there are many synonyms for "won the race", such as "triumphed" or "prevailed", using overly complex language can sometimes detract from the clarity of your writing. Opt for simpler, more direct phrasing when appropriate to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won the race" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion of a race in first place. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used. The examples provided show it primarily used in news and sports contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Sports

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "won the race" is a grammatically sound and highly frequent expression used to indicate victory in a competitive race. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and sports contexts, it serves to report or declare the winner of an event. While alternatives like "triumphed in the race" exist, "won the race" provides a clear and direct way to convey this information. When writing, ensure you use the correct tense and avoid overly complex synonyms to maintain clarity. Overall, this phrase is a reliable and straightforward choice for describing a race's outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emerged victorious in the race

Emphasizes the act of becoming victorious, highlighting the process and final result.

triumphed in the race

Suggests a more significant victory, implying overcoming challenges or obstacles.

clinched the race

Highlights the decisiveness and finality of the victory.

secured first place in the race

Focuses on the achievement of the top position in the competition.

dominated the race

Implies a strong and overwhelming performance leading to victory.

prevailed in the race

Similar to 'triumphed', suggesting overcoming difficulties to win.

finished first in the race

A straightforward description of achieving the fastest time or top position.

topped the field in the race

Indicates winning against a group of competitors.

was the victor in the race

A more formal way of stating that someone won.

captured the race

Emphasizes the act of seizing or gaining control of the race.

FAQs

How can I use "won the race" in a sentence?

You can use "won the race" to describe someone's victory in a competition. For example, "After months of training, she "won the race" easily".

What are some alternatives to saying "won the race"?

Alternatives include "emerged victorious in the race", "triumphed in the race", or "secured first place in the race". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "win the race" instead of "won the race"?

"Win the race" is used when discussing a future or hypothetical event, while ""won the race"" is used to describe a past event. For example, "She hopes to win the race next year" versus "She won the race yesterday".

What's the difference between "won the race" and "finished the race"?

"Won the race" implies that someone achieved first place, while "finished the race" simply means they completed the race, regardless of their position.