earn money

USAGE SUMMARY

'earn money' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about making an income, for example 'John wants to earn money by starting his own business.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You have to earn money," she says.

Independent

Are you working to earn money?

The New York Times

Twitter will earn money from the sales.

The New York Times

I do not earn money by trade.

The New Yorker

People have to earn money".

The New Yorker

Possibly, she will earn money!

The Guardian - Books

"We need to earn money.

The Guardian

However, most farmers who receive subsidies were able to earn money in the pilot reformed villages.

Journal of Hydrology

Women earn money; they run household budgets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So you'll earn money scamming other people.

The New York Times

The cities are where they earn money".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how someone supports themselves or their family, use "earn money" to emphasize the effort and work involved in obtaining income. It is a versatile phrase applicable to various employment types and activities.

Common error

Don't use "earn money" when referring to passive income generated from investments or assets. "Earn" implies active effort, whereas passive income is generated with minimal ongoing work. For passive income, consider phrases like "generate income" or "receive returns".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn money" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of receiving payment or income in exchange for work or services. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely recognized and accepted in English. For example, Ludwig includes contexts ranging from people needing to earn for survival to possible ways of doing it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earn money" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the process of receiving income for work or services. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use and acceptability across various contexts. While alternatives like "make money" or "generate income" exist, "earn money" specifically emphasizes the effort and labor involved. It's crucial to differentiate its usage from passive income scenarios. Its widespread occurrence in news, science, and business contexts underscores its relevance across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make money

Focuses on the general act of generating income, broader than just earning.

generate income

Highlights the process of creating income, emphasizing the source.

obtain income

Formal way of saying to get money, often used in reports.

make a living

Implies earning enough money to support oneself.

gain wealth

Suggests accumulating riches over time, more long-term.

profit from

Highlights gaining financial benefit from an activity or investment.

acquire funds

Focuses on obtaining financial resources, often for a specific purpose.

collect revenue

Emphasizes gathering income, often in a business context.

draw a salary

Implies getting a fixed payment for a job.

secure funding

Implies getting financial support, often for a project.

FAQs

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

You can use "earn money" to describe how someone gets paid for their work. For example, "She wants to "earn money" by freelancing online".

What's a more formal way to say "earn money"?

While "earn money" is perfectly acceptable, you could use phrases like "generate income" or "obtain funds" in formal contexts. These alternatives sound more professional in official reports or business documents.

Which is correct, "earn money" or "make money"?

Both ""earn money"" and "make money" are correct. However, "earn money" often implies effort and work, while "make money" can be more general and include passive income.

What can I say instead of "earn money" when referring to a business?

For a business, you can use phrases like "generate revenue", "produce profit", or "drive sales" to describe how it makes money.