gain
/ɡeɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡˈen] /ɡeɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [ɡˈen] /ˈgān/ (ame, mw)
gain — verb
- gainpresent simple I / you / we / they
- gains3rd person singular
- gaining-ing form
- gainedpast simple
1. to get or obtain something useful or positive, often after some time or effort —
to get or obtain something useful or positive, often after some time or effort — such as experience, support, access, or a reputation.
Bao gained valuable experience while working as an intern at the hospital.
gain experience — common collocation
The proposal gained support from both parents and teachers at the school board meeting.
gain support — common collocation
Her novel gained her a reputation as one of the most exciting young writers in Japan.
Without a visa, refugees could not gain legal entry to any country in the region.
What do you hope to gain by hiding the truth from your family?
- lose
direct opposite — lose support, lose access
文法句型
gain + something
gain + someone + something
用法筆記
Common with abstract nouns such as 'experience', 'support', 'access', 'confidence', and 'reputation'. Can take two objects: 'His speech gained him the respect of the audience.'
常見錯誤
2. when something becomes larger in amount, size, speed, or degree — for example, w
when something becomes larger in amount, size, speed, or degree — for example, when you put on weight, a car goes faster, or a price goes up.
Eli gained three kilograms during the winter holiday and started jogging in March.
gain + weight — transitive, most common pattern
The bicycle gained speed quickly as Salma rode down the long hill.
gain speed — transitive collocation
The company's stock gained fifteen percent in value after the new product launch.
Luca has gained a lot in confidence since he joined the drama club at school.
Dahlia's hair gained nearly ten centimetres in length over the course of a year.
文法句型
gain + noun (e.g. weight, speed)
gain in + noun
gain + amount phrase
用法筆記
Use 'put on weight' in informal contexts for body weight; 'gain weight' is neutral. The intransitive pattern 'gain in + noun' works for qualities like confidence, strength, or popularity.
常見錯誤
3. when a timekeeping device operates too fast and ends up ahead of the correct tim
when a timekeeping device operates too fast and ends up ahead of the correct time — for instance, a watch that shows 9:10 when the real time is only 9:00.
Ayana noticed her bedside clock was gaining about five minutes every week.
gain + amount of time — describing how much too fast
My watch has gained almost an hour since I dropped it on the kitchen floor.
present perfect: has gained — result still visible
The old grandfather clock in the hallway gains ten minutes each month.
Nadia set her alarm clock forward because it had been gaining several minutes each day.
- run fast
more descriptive; 'my watch runs fast' is more common in everyday speech
文法句型
gain (by + amount of time)
用法筆記
Opposite meaning: a 'losing' clock shows a time that is too early. Only used for timekeeping devices — never for people or processes.
常見錯誤
gain — noun
1. a benefit or advantage that you obtain, especially a financial profit or a posit
a benefit or advantage that you obtain, especially a financial profit or a positive result achieved through effort.
Investors expect a substantial gain from the sale of the technology startup.
financial gain — most frequent use
The new recycling programme brought significant environmental gains for the whole community.
environmental gain — abstract benefit
Devika entered the competition purely for personal gain, not for the love of the sport.
Hugo argued that the short-term gains of the policy did not justify the long-term risks.
The gains in worker safety justify the cost of the training programme.
- loss
financial loss or missed benefit
用法筆記
Often used in business and economics contexts. 'Personal gain' usually carries a slightly negative implication of selfishness. 'Gains' in plural is very common.
常見錯誤
2. an increase in size, amount, weight, value, or degree of something.
an increase in size, amount, weight, value, or degree of something.
Isabela was concerned about her sudden weight gain and decided to see a doctor.
weight gain — most common collocation
The stock market saw a gain of two hundred points by the end of trading.
gain of + amount — precise measurement
The company reported a steady gain in quarterly sales for the third year running.
After weeks of physiotherapy, James noticed a small gain in the movement of his shoulder.
Temperature gains across the Arctic region have been faster than scientists predicted.
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1: this sense is purely about measurable increase, not about benefit. 'Weight gain' is the most frequent everyday collocation.
常見錯誤
3. the amount by which an electronic device, such as an amplifier or antenna, incre
the amount by which an electronic device, such as an amplifier or antenna, increases the power or strength of a signal.
The technician adjusted the amplifier gain for the concert hall performance.
amplifier gain — most common domain collocation
A low gain setting on the microphone helps reduce background noise during recordings.
gain setting — adjusting equipment
Jabari measured the antenna gain to determine whether the signal would reach the mountain village.
The radio receiver needs a higher gain to pick up stations from across the country.
- amplification
more formal; the process of increasing signal strength
- increase
simpler but less precise than 'gain' in this technical sense
- attenuation
the reduction of signal strength — opposite of gain
用法筆記
A technical term in electronics and audio engineering. Not used in everyday conversation. The gain is usually expressed as a ratio (decibels).