earn

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "earn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in most contexts when referring to gaining money or other rewards as a result of effort or work. Example: She worked hard and was eventually able to earn a promotion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, this is exactly the way the tax code works now: tax rates rise at certain income thresholds, meaning that when you get to a certain income level, the government takes more of every dollar you earn.

The Economist

Watson replied: "Was Clinton telling the truth?" Obeid also denied he told former Lehman Brothers banker Gardner Brook that the family's investment in water infrastructure could eclipse their interests in the Mount Penny coal mine which was thought to have the potential to earn the family about $100m.

The Guardian

"We do retain some traditional parts of high school; kids still need to earn credit and study certain topics but we go about studying them a little differently," she explains.

The Guardian

Each has his merits, and could earn a place in the squad, but with limited spots available there is a good chance of them all missing out.

The Guardian - Sport

Graduates who earn more will repay more each month, so the system is fair and affordable; and those who enter a more lucrative profession will pay a higher rate of interest, and ultimately contribute more to the cost of their university education.

The Guardian

They debate whether the fact the audience will have waited 15 minutes for a 15-second encore will earn them some sort of record.

The Guardian - Music

Carlo Ancelotti spoke glowingly of the teenager last week, with Neymar one of a number of young Brazilians who have caught Chelsea's eye in recent times, and sources close to the player have suggested the forward would expect to earn around £55,000 a week at Stamford Bridge.

The Guardian - Sport

The minister who condemned historic indulgence of sink schools was in effect proposing to deny struggling pupils the chance to earn any respected qualifications at all.

The Guardian

Someone who opens all four accounts would be able to put aside £29,500 and earn £1,025 in interest – of which £1,000 would be tax free so long as the person is a basic rate taxpayer.

The Guardian - Money

If you want respect, you have to earn it.'" If you travel in a city during rush hour, the chances are you will have seen someone on a bicycle pull a stunt that, had it been perpetrated by a car driver, would have seen them dragged from the wheel and strung from the nearest lamp-post.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That's where a manager needs to earn his corn.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earn", ensure that the context clearly indicates what effort or action leads to the reward or gain. For instance, specify what one must do to "earn" a promotion, respect, or money.

Common error

Avoid using "earn" in contexts where the gain is purely accidental or based on luck. "Earn" implies a direct correlation between effort and outcome, unlike terms like "win" or "find".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "earn" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed by a subject to gain or acquire something, such as money, respect, or a reward. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts like earning a living, credit, or a place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "earn" is a versatile verb primarily used to indicate gaining something through effort or merit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, "earn" appears frequently in news media and formal business contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While interchangeable with words like "gain", "deserve", or "acquire", "earn" specifically emphasizes the connection between effort and reward. When using "earn", ensure clarity in what actions lead to the gain. Avoid using it in contexts involving pure luck, as it implies a deliberate effort to obtain something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain

Similar to "earn", but can also refer to gaining something that is not necessarily tangible.

make

A more general term for gaining money or profit, not necessarily implying effort.

attain

Suggests achieving something after a considerable amount of time and effort.

acquire

Implies obtaining possession of something, which may or may not involve effort.

merit

Similar to deserve but emphasizes worthiness based on qualities or actions.

garner

Often used for collecting or accumulating something, such as support or praise.

deserve

Focuses on the moral right to receive something, often as a reward.

secure

Implies obtaining something, often with effort, and making it safe or stable.

win

Often refers to gaining something through competition or chance, rather than consistent effort.

collect

Suggests gathering items over time, often without significant effort in each instance.

FAQs

How can I use "earn" in a sentence?

You can use "earn" to describe gaining something through effort, such as "She worked hard to "earn a promotion"" or "He needs to "earn their trust"".

What's a good alternative to the word "earn"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "gain", "deserve", "acquire", or "win". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "earn" when referring to lottery winnings?

No, "earn" implies effort or work. It is more appropriate to say you "won" the lottery, as winning is typically based on chance, not effort. Using "earn" in this context would be grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "earn" and "deserve"?

"Earn" typically refers to receiving something as a direct result of effort or work, while "deserve" suggests a moral right or entitlement to something, regardless of whether specific effort was expended. For example, you might "earn" a bonus through hard work, but "deserve" recognition for your long-term contributions.