earn the first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earn the first" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of achieving or obtaining something for the first time, but it is incomplete without additional context. Example: "To succeed in this competition, you must earn the first place by demonstrating your skills."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Lawrence's courageous character helped earn the first two Hunger Games movies £928 million worldwide.

Independent

The three of them would finally earn the first rings of their careers.

The Guardian - Sport

That blatantly risqué ploy helped Mr. Thicke earn the first No. 1 pop hit of his two-decade career.

The New York Times - Arts

The 24-year-old's brave Hunger Games character, Katniss Everdeen, helped earn the first two franchise movies £928 million worldwide.

Independent

3.17am BST 4 mins Portland earn the first corner after a slightly sloppy clearance skews out of play.

The Guardian - Sport

In the marathon, Edna Kiplagat led her nation to an unprecedented sweep in 2 hours 28 minutes 43 seconds and earn the first gold medal of the competition.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

■ Mika Miyazato birdied 6 of 10 holes in the middle of her round to shoot a six-under 65 and earn the first-round lead at the L.P.G.A. Tour's NW Arkansas Championship.

The New York Times - Sports

The winner of that game would earn the second wild-card berth.

The New York Times

Still, the Pacers earn the "second best" designation more by default than anything else.

The Guardian - Sport

Washington is trying to earn the third running back spot, behind Barber and Dayne.

The New York Times - Sports

Ventro didn't even earn the third-quarter revenue.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "earn the first", ensure the context clarifies what is being earned, such as "earn the first point" or "earn the first position". Adding a noun after "first" enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "earn the first" without specifying what is being earned. For example, instead of saying "The team earned the first", specify "earn the first point" or "earn the first goal" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn the first" functions primarily as a verbal phrase that implies gaining an initial advantage or achievement. Ludwig AI identifies that the phrase requires further specification to be grammatically sound. The examples show its usage often followed by a noun to clarify what is being earned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Huffington Post

1%

Forbes

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earn the first" is commonly used to express the act of gaining an initial advantage or achievement. However, Ludwig AI points out that it often requires further clarification to specify what is being earned. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media and Sports contexts. While the grammatical correctness is debated, with a neutral register, it’s best practice to specify the noun following "first" to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "achieve first place" or "secure the top spot" offer more precise alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve first place

Replaces "earn" with "achieve" and specifies "place" for clarity.

clinch the top position

Emphasizes decisively winning a top ranking.

secure the top spot

Emphasizes obtaining the highest ranking, using more descriptive language.

obtain the leading position

Similar to securing the top spot, but uses more formal vocabulary.

win the initial prize

Focuses on winning a primary reward, adding detail.

capture the primary title

Focuses on winning a championship or main honor.

attain the primary goal

Highlights reaching a main objective, using more formal vocabulary.

seize the first opportunity

Highlights taking advantage of an initial chance.

gain the first advantage

Stresses acquiring an initial lead or benefit.

deserve the first award

Implies that the accomplishment merits the award.

FAQs

How can I use "earn the first" in a sentence correctly?

To use "earn the first" correctly, specify what is being earned. For example, you can say "The team "earned the first point"" or "She "earned the first place" in the competition."

What are some alternatives to "earn the first"?

Alternatives include "achieve first place", "secure the top spot", or "win the initial prize", depending on the context.

Is it always grammatically correct to use "earn the first"?

While commonly used, "earn the first" is often incomplete without specifying what is being earned. It's better to clarify by adding a noun after "first", such as "earn the first goal".

What's the difference between "earn the first" and "achieve first"?

"Earn the first" typically implies gaining something through effort in an ongoing event, whereas "achieve first place" focuses on reaching the highest ranking in a competition or list.