Question

1. He won the first prize in the speech contest.

2. He won first prize in the speech contest.

3. He got the first prize in the speech contest.

4. He got first prize in the speech contest.
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Are all the expressions grammatical? Do we have to use 'the' or not? Is either OK? Which one is commonly used, with 'the' or 'without 'the'?

Answer 1

All four are grammatically correct, but using "won" and not using "the" are smoother, more commonly used expressions, I think.

Answer 2

Writeacher is correct, but to be, perhaps, a little clearer, the best sentence is #2, "He won first prize..."