earn his livelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earn his livelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a person's work or job and the income they make to support themselves. For example, "John had to leave school early in order to earn his livelihood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When he turned to bronze, he became, as he put it, "a tradesman," as if his main task were to perfect a valued craft and earn his livelihood.

The New York Times - Arts

Mao seemed to figure constantly in his thoughts, he said, which were concerned mostly with how he would earn his livelihood after he left the Army, the following April.

The New Yorker

to be free in the enjoyment of all his faculties; to be free to use them in all lawful ways; to live and work where he will; to earn his livelihood by any lawful calling; to pursue any livelihood or avocation.

Cornell University

But in Nneme, there is an obvious need for an expanded initial hearing that lets the driver give his version of the facts and, if need be, to post a bond to continue to earn his livelihood.

Forbes

TSA's action had a profound impact on Adnan's ability to earn his livelihood, as Delta placed him on immediate suspension without pay from his job as a baggage service worker.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He earned his livelihood, however, through portraiture; his sitters included Denis Diderot, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, and Benjamin Franklin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is whether a flat license tax as applied to one who earns his livelihood as an evangelist or preacher in his home town is constitutional.

Cornell University

Cassius Clay, Sr., who earned his livelihood as a sign painter, was a braggart, a charmer, a performer, a man full of fantastic tales and hundred-proof blather.

The New Yorker

Only two years after Valentine we held that a municipality could not apply its flat license tax to an evangelist who earned his livelihood by selling religious tracts door to door.

Cornell University

What we want to establish at this time is a labor organisation that will open wide its doors to every man that earns his livelihood, either by his brain or muscle".

The Guardian - Books

We extended Murdock the following Term by invalidating, as applied to "one who earns his livelihood as an evangelist or preacher in his home town," an ordinance (similar to that involved in Murdock ) that required all booksellers to pay a flat fee to procure a license to sell books.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical contexts or formal situations, "earn his livelihood" is appropriate. For contemporary or informal contexts, consider using "earn his living" or "make a living".

Common error

Avoid using "earn his livelihood" in casual conversations or informal writing. It may sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for more common alternatives like "earn his living" or "make a living" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of securing the financial means for self-support. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earn his livelihood" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that describes how an individual financially supports themself. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is appropriate when discussing a person's job or work and the income they generate. While "earn his livelihood" is less common than similar phrases like "earn his living" or "make a living", it holds a neutral register and can be found across various authoritative sources such as The New York Times, academic papers, and encyclopedias. When aiming for contemporary or informal styles, opting for more common alternatives may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn his living

This alternative uses "living" instead of "livelihood", offering a more common and slightly less formal way to express the same idea.

make a living

This focuses on the act of earning enough money for basic necessities, shifting the focus slightly from the broader concept of livelihood.

support himself financially

This alternative explicitly states the financial aspect of self-support, providing a clearer and more direct explanation.

earn his keep

This phrase implies earning enough to cover one's basic needs, especially in exchange for services or labor.

provide for himself

This highlights the act of supplying oneself with necessities, encompassing both financial and other means of support.

be self-supporting

This emphasizes the state of being able to provide for oneself without external assistance.

be gainfully employed

This alternative focuses on having a job or occupation that provides income.

work for a living

This explicitly mentions the act of working in order to earn money for sustenance.

earn a salary

This refers specifically to earning a fixed amount of money on a regular basis, narrowing the scope to salaried employment.

make ends meet

This focuses on earning enough money to cover expenses, often implying a struggle to do so.

FAQs

What does "earn his livelihood" mean?

The phrase "earn his livelihood" means to secure the means necessary to support oneself through work or other forms of income generation.

Is "earn his livelihood" formal or informal?

The phrase leans towards the formal side. In casual contexts, it might be better to use alternatives such as "earn his living" or "make a living".

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

You can use it to describe someone's occupation or how they financially support themselves, for example: "He had to leave school early to earn his livelihood."

What are some alternatives to "earn his livelihood"?

Some alternatives include "earn his living", "make a living", or "support himself financially" depending on the context.