Grammar fix
gain confidence
become confident
To gradually start feeling more sure of yourself and your abilities.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- After practicing her speech several times, she began to gain confidence.daily life
- I gained confidence in my English skills by talking with native speakers every day.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: gain confidence (in something/doing something)
WrongI gained a confidence after practice.
RightI gained confidence after practice.
Uncountable — no 'a'.
Patterngain confidence (in something/doing something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Augmented her self-assurance' is stiff; 'gain confidence' is the natural phrase.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
gain confidenceinmoreslowlybuild
Don't confuse it
Compare with 'lose confidence,' which means to start doubting yourself.