earn a livelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"earn a livelihood" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to make or obtain enough money to support oneself and one's family. Examples: 1. After losing his job, John had to find a way to earn a livelihood for his family. 2. Many people in developing countries struggle to earn a livelihood due to limited job opportunities. 3. Mary's parents always encouraged her to pursue higher education so she could earn a better livelihood in the future. 4. The farmers in this area rely on their crops to earn a livelihood and support their families. 5. Despite the challenges, Anita was determined to earn a livelihood as an artist and refused to give up on her passion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It was also reported that many students were forced to leave their studies due to lack of funds or to earn a livelihood because they had lost income-earning members of their families.

Wikipedia

Over time, disability made it hard for families to earn a livelihood.

The New York Times

The loss of pastures and water made it impossible for many nomadic herder families to earn a livelihood.

The Guardian

Many erotic dancers say that being a nude "object of the male gaze" to earn a livelihood is not degrading.

The New York Times - Arts

Even the ninjas, many of them out-of-work herders, recognize the damage, but they say there is no other way to earn a livelihood in rural Mongolia.

The New York Times

Not only were the Indian traders and merchants encouraged to earn a livelihood, but their cultural identity was preserved, as land grants allowed for the construction of Hindu temples in Manama and Dubai.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"We know that drivers aren't earning a livelihood if they can't drive.

The Guardian - Business

The fish that is not polluted is killed by the oil and toxins, making earning a livelihood impossible for many who depended on the sale of fish.

The New York Times

"With the help of St Joseph's Centre in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, we encourage people to rebuild their lives by earning a livelihood.

The Guardian

In 1995, with a grant from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Mr. Scheffer, who is now 55, and four other fishermen became oyster farmers, earning a livelihood and a growing reputation among shellfish lovers.

The New York Times - Food

But that was the problem: having grown accustomed to higher salaries, many of the remaining young people refused to return to the hard life of earning a livelihood from the sea, and left the island in search of salaried work elsewhere.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about economic development or social issues, use "earn a livelihood" to emphasize the importance of sustainable income generation for individuals and communities. For example, "The program aims to empower women to "earn a livelihood" through sustainable agriculture."

Common error

Avoid using "earn a livelihood" when you actually mean someone's "lifestyle". "Livelihood" refers specifically to how someone makes money to support themselves, not their overall way of living. A better sentence would be: "His chosen lifestyle involves a lot of travel."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn a livelihood" functions as a verb phrase, typically used with a subject to describe the act of acquiring sufficient means to support oneself. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is proper English. Examples on Ludwig show it is often used when discussing challenges and opportunities related to financial stability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earn a livelihood" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that describes the way people provide for themselves and their families. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of real-world examples from sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian and UNICEF reveals its use across diverse contexts including news, formal reports, and encyclopedic entries. While semantically similar alternatives like "make a living" and "support oneself" exist, it's crucial to differentiate "earn a livelihood" from related concepts like "lifestyle". Using this phrase correctly enhances clarity and precision in discussions about socio-economic issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a living

Replaces "earn" with "make", focusing on the action of creating income.

support oneself

Emphasizes self-reliance in providing for one's needs.

provide for one's family

Highlights the responsibility of supporting dependents.

make ends meet

Focuses on the challenge of covering basic expenses with limited income.

gain financial independence

Highlights the achievement of self-sufficiency through income generation.

secure financial stability

Emphasizes the establishment of a stable income source.

obtain a source of income

Replaces "livelihood" with a more general term for income.

find gainful employment

Highlights the importance of securing a job that provides sufficient income.

eGet means of subsistence

Offers a more formal and technical way to express the same concept.

pursue a trade

Focuses on a specific skill or craft used to generate income.

FAQs

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

You can use "earn a livelihood" to describe how someone supports themselves financially. For example: "Many immigrants come to this country hoping to "make a living" and provide for their families."

What's the difference between "earn a livelihood" and "earn a living"?

While very similar, "earn a livelihood" often implies a more sustainable and stable means of income, while "earn a living" can refer to any way of "supporting oneself", even if it's temporary or precarious.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "earn a livelihood"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "support oneself", "make ends meet", or "obtain a source of income" instead of "earn a livelihood".

Is "earning a livelihood" grammatically correct?

Yes, "earning a livelihood" is the gerund form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example: "Earning a livelihood in a rural area can be challenging."