earn a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"earn a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when writing about someone who has completed a program of study leading to a college, university, or professional degree. For example: "John worked hard and was proud to earn a degree in Accounting from Harvard University."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Typically they didn't earn a degree.

The New York Times - Books

Most students, though, failed to earn a degree.

The New York Times

He attended Pratt Institute but did not earn a degree.

The New York Times

Thompson returned last summer to earn a degree in sociology.

The New York Times - Sports

Other students take even longer or never earn a degree.

The New York Times

He stayed through his senior year to earn a degree in architectural design.

The New Yorker

I decided to become the first member of our clan not to earn a degree.

The New York Times - Magazine

He stayed at Tufts to earn a degree in sacred theology from its Crane Theological School.

The New York Times

His counseling job often involves persuading marginal students to try to earn a degree.

The New York Times

He stayed in school to earn a degree in integrative arts and computer graphics.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The economic imperative to earn a degree or other credential applies to all industries and sectors.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the effort and dedication involved in completing an academic program, use "earn a degree" to highlight the hard work required. For example, "She worked tirelessly to "earn a degree" in engineering while balancing family responsibilities."

Common error

While both phrases relate to obtaining a degree, "earn a degree" emphasizes the effort and work put in, whereas "receive a degree" simply indicates the act of being awarded the degree. Use "earn" when highlighting the effort and dedication involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn a degree" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of acquiring an academic qualification through effort and study. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in describing individuals who have successfully completed their studies and received their degree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earn a degree" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of acquiring an academic qualification through hard work and study. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for describing someone who has completed a program leading to a college, university, or professional degree. Usage is most frequent in News & Media. When writing, emphasize the effort involved in obtaining the degree by using "earn a degree". While alternatives like "receive a degree" exist, they lack the emphasis on the dedication required to complete the degree. To avoid confusion, remember that earning a degree highlights the work invested, while receiving a degree simply indicates the act of being awarded it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain a degree

Replaces "earn" with "obtain", focusing on the acquisition of the degree.

receive a degree

Substitutes "earn" with "receive", emphasizing the formal awarding of the degree.

complete a degree

Focuses on the completion aspect of the degree program rather than the effort to earn it.

graduate with a degree

Highlights the graduation aspect, implying successful completion of the degree requirements.

attain a degree

Uses "attain" instead of "earn", indicating the achievement of the degree.

secure a degree

Emphasizes the effort to secure or obtain the degree through hard work and dedication.

get a degree

A more informal way of saying "earn a degree", suitable for casual conversation.

achieve a degree

Focuses on the accomplishment of getting a degree.

qualify with a degree

Highlights the qualification aspect of getting a degree to be able to exercise a job.

be awarded a degree

This alternative emphasizes the formal recognition and conferral of the degree.

FAQs

How can I use "earn a degree" in a sentence?

You can use "earn a degree" to describe the process of completing a course of study and receiving an academic qualification. For example, "He plans to "earn a degree" in computer science."

What are some alternatives to "earn a degree"?

Some alternatives include "obtain a degree", "receive a degree", or "complete a degree". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "earn a degree" or "get a degree"?

"Earn a degree" is generally considered more formal and emphasizes the effort and dedication involved in achieving the qualification. "Get a degree" is more informal and suitable for casual conversation.

What is the difference between "earn a degree" and "be awarded a degree"?

"Earn a degree" highlights the effort and work involved in achieving the qualification, while "be awarded a degree" focuses on the formal recognition and conferral of the degree. The phrase "be awarded a degree" is more passive, and emphasizes the reception, rather than the process.