What is the difference between gain and win?

[KellyT]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #102 "The Parliamentary Candidate (4)", question 5

He realized that he had to say something quickly to ......... the crowd over to his side. 'Thank you for your generous gift, but I really prefer them in sandwiches. And now let's get on with the meeting.'

(a) acquire
(b) win
(c) gain
(d) control

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #102 "The Parliamentary Candidate (4)", answer 5

He realized that he had to say something quickly to win the crowd over to his side. 'Thank you for your generous gift, but I really prefer them in sandwiches. And now let's get on with the meeting.'

Correct answer: (b) win

Your answer was: incorrect
He realized that he had to say something quickly to gain the crowd over to his side. 'Thank you for your generous gift, but I really prefer them in sandwiches. And now let's get on with the meeting.'
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Dear Alan
Can you explain to me why we have to use win here instead of the other? I mean Gain for instance

Thanks in advance for your help

Kelly

[Daniela]

GAIN and ACQUIRE both mean to come into possession or use of, for example gain a fortune; gain information about somebody’s plans; acquire shares of stock; acquire proficiency in something (maths, English, etc.)

WIN means to succeed in gaining the favour or support of; to gain the affection or loyalty of; to appeal to.
Her eloquence won over the audience.

Hope this helps!
Success!

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[Alan]

Hi,

Win somebody over is the set expression meaning persuade someone to agree with you> Gain has often got the sense of getting things like success/profit/support.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Vladimir13]

Hi teachers,

Alan explained use of the gain and win over. That's helpful, certainly.

I think the meaning of the test sentence is similar to the one in the next example: The new leader's popularity gained over many members of the opposing party.

Am I right?
What about gain over in the test sentence?

Thank you very much,
Vladimir.
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My little horse must think it queer...

[Alan]

Hi Vladimir,

I see the point you have made but 'gain over' isn't an accepted alternative to 'win over'. 'Gain' as I said earlier is strongly routed in meaning to increasing/acquiring/achieving things like success/support/profit/weight. 'Win' in its figurative sense on the other hand has strong links with the idea of persuasion, which is how it is used in the test sentence. You might note the expression 'a winning smile', which is used to describe how someone smiles in such a way that you are attracted to them.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Vladimir13]

Thanks a lot Alan!!!

The set expression a winning smile is the keyphrase for me, I haven't known it before!

Thank you once more,
Vladimir.
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My little horse must think it queer...