but I earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but I earned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something you have achieved or obtained, often in a context where you are contrasting it with another statement or expectation. Example: "I know it seems unfair, but I earned my promotion through hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But I earned this.

The New Yorker

But I earned it, kind of.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I earned $57m and I saved half of it.

The Guardian - Sport

But I earned it — though I can't justify the amounts".

The New York Times - Arts

"But I earned every cent of it," he said.

The New York Times

It may be a tiny paycheck, but I earned it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It is a lot," he said, "but I earn it".

The New York Times

I love doing human stories, but I earn my paycheck these days as an investigative reporter and do a good bit of computer-assisted reporting.

The New York Times

I do not earn much as a traditionally published author but I earn more than I did as a self-publisher.

The Guardian - Books

Even when challenged with rigorous and seemingly unassailable arguments like The tax code applies to income, but I earn a wage, or Income taxes apply to persons, but I am not a person, the courts have consistently held that such assertions are -- believe it or not -- frivolous.

The New York Times

That is a blessing, but I earn every minute of it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but I earned" to emphasize that an achievement or possession was not simply luck or given, but rather the result of personal effort and dedication.

Common error

Avoid using "but I earned" when the context implies privilege or unfair advantage. The phrase is most effective when highlighting genuine effort and overcoming obstacles, not justifying existing inequalities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but I earned" serves as a conjunction phrase, linking a preceding statement with a contrasting explanation emphasizing personal effort. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct. It highlights that a result was achieved through hard work, not luck or privilege, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but I earned" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize that an achievement was the result of personal effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable. The phrase contrasts a prior statement, usually an observation or question about a result, with the explicit assertion that the outcome was "earned" through hard work and dedication. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase conveys a sense of justification and personal merit. Alternatives like "but I deserved it" or "but I worked for it" can be used to adjust the specific emphasis, though the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but I worked for it

Directly states the effort expended to achieve the result.

but I deserved it

Emphasizes the righteousness of receiving something due to one's actions.

but I put in the effort

Focuses on the dedication and hard work invested.

but it was well-deserved

Highlights the appropriateness of receiving the reward or benefit.

but I merited it

Highlights the worthiness of the reward based on one's qualifications.

but I labored for it

Highlights the hard work involved in obtaining the result.

but I was entitled to it

Suggests a right or claim to something, often based on effort or contribution.

but I paid my dues

Indicates fulfilling requirements or enduring hardship to earn something.

but I had it coming

Implies that the result was inevitable given the preceding actions.

but I rightfully obtained it

Stresses the justice and legitimacy of acquiring something.

FAQs

How can I use "but I earned" in a sentence?

The phrase "but I earned" is used to contrast something that might seem surprising or undeserved with the fact that it was achieved through effort. For example, "It might seem like a lot of money, but I earned it through years of hard work."

What's a good alternative to "but I earned"?

Alternatives include "but I deserved it", "but I worked for it", or "but I merited it", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of saying "but I earned", you might say "but I deserved it" to emphasize that the result was fair and just.

Is it correct to say "but I earned this", or should it be "but I have earned this"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "but I earned this" is more common and concise, especially in informal contexts. "But I have earned this" places additional emphasis on the completion of the work.

What's the difference between "but I deserved" and "but I earned"?

"But I earned" emphasizes the effort and work put into achieving something, while "but I deserved" emphasizes the fairness or justification of receiving something. Although, depending on the context, they could be synonyms.