Beat vs. Win

Beat is usually followed by an object which refers to the person you are playing or fighting against.

• She always beats me at poker.
• Although he tried hard, he couldn’t beat his opponent.
• She is one of the best athletes in the world. You aren’t going to beat her.

Win can also be followed by an object, but it usually refers to things like money or prize. You can also win in a game, a race, a battle or an argument.

• She won the first prize in the quiz competition.
• She always wins when we play poker.

Beat and win | Grammar exercise

Complete the following sentences using beat or win.

1. A teenaged girl from Mumbai ————– the 3 mile race. (beat / won)

2. She —————– forty athletes from across the country. (beat / won)

3. In 2000, George W Bush ————— the US Presidential election by ————— Al Gore. (won, beating / beat, winning)

4. Whenever I play chess with my sister, she —————- (wins / beats)

5. I have never managed to —————- her in a game of chess. (beat / win)

6. We will have to —————- them to get to the final. (beat / win)

7. If we ————– this match, we will make it to the final. (win / beat)

8. I will be happy if I —————- this race. (win / beat)

9. I will be happy if I —————– my previous record. (beat / win)

10. I never thought that I would be able to —————– a player of her caliber. (beat / win)

Answers

1. A teenaged girl from Mumbai won the 3 mile race.

2. She beat forty athletes from across the country.

3. In 2000, George W Bush won the US Presidential election by beating Al Gore.

4. Whenever I play chess with my sister, she wins.

5. I have never managed to beat her in a game of chess.

6. We will have to beat them to get to the final.

7. If we win this match, we will make it to the final.

8. I will be happy if I win this race.

9. I will be happy if I beat my previous record.

10. I never thought that I would be able to beat a player of her caliber.