earned a PhD

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earned a PhD" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the completion of a doctoral degree, typically in an academic or professional context. Example: "After years of hard work and research, she finally earned a PhD in neuroscience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He earned a PhD in political economy at the Sorbonne.

The Economist

Herb earned a PhD at the University of Iowa.

The New York Times

After retirement, he earned a PhD in philosophy.

The Guardian - Sport

He Graduated from Holy Cross in 1970 and earned a PhD from Princeton University in 1981.

The New York Times

In 1964, he earned a PhD in counselor education from St . Johns University.

The New York Times

In the 1960s, she earned a PhD in Musicology from CUNY.

The New York Times

She earned a PHD degree in electrical engineering, from Princeton University, and had started her career at McKinsey and Company.

The New York Times

Supap Kirtsaeng, a Thai student who earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of Southern California, made as much as $1.2m with some basic maths.

The Economist

While raising four children and volunteering her time to political, charitable, and educational causes, she earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University, in 1988.

The New York Times

Ben Scandella is a PhD candidate in environmental science at MIT. Britta Voss earned a PhD in Earth science from MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He graduated from Yale University in 1955 and earned a PhD. in Theoretical Physics from Cornell University in 1960.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, ensure you specify the field of study when mentioning someone "earned a PhD", for example: "earned a PhD in Biology".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses (e.g., "earning a PhD" when the degree is already completed) or omitting the specific field of study when mentioning someone has "earned a PhD".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earned a PhD" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion and acquisition of a doctoral degree. It signifies that someone has met all the requirements for a PhD program, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earned a PhD" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has successfully completed a doctoral degree. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. This phrase frequently appears in news articles, scientific publications, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While variations like "obtained a PhD" or "received a PhD" exist, "earned a PhD" remains a clear and widely understood way to convey this academic achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained a PhD

Synonymous with "earned a PhD", indicating the successful completion and receipt of a doctoral degree.

received a PhD

Similar to "earned a PhD", emphasizing the act of being awarded the doctoral degree.

completed a PhD

Focuses on the accomplishment of finishing all requirements for the doctoral program.

attained a PhD

Implies a successful effort to reach the level of having a doctoral degree.

was awarded a PhD

Emphasizes the formal recognition and conferral of the doctoral degree.

secured a PhD

Highlights the competitive nature and effort required to obtain a doctoral degree.

achieved a PhD

Focuses on the accomplishment and success in gaining a doctoral degree.

graduated with a PhD

Specifies the completion of the doctoral program within the context of graduation.

finished doctoral studies

More general term focusing on concluding the PhD program, not necessarily indicating the degree was awarded.

doctoral graduate

Describes a person who has completed a doctoral program, rather than the act of earning the degree.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "earned a PhD"?

Saying someone "earned a PhD" means they successfully completed all requirements for a doctoral degree in a specific field of study.

What are some alternatives to saying someone "earned a PhD"?

You can use alternatives like "obtained a PhD", "received a PhD", or "completed a PhD" depending on the context.

How is "earned a PhD" different from "pursuing a PhD"?

"Earned a PhD" indicates the successful completion of the doctoral program, while "pursuing a PhD" implies the person is currently working towards completing their doctoral studies.

Is it necessary to specify the field of study when saying someone "earned a PhD"?

While not always necessary, specifying the field of study (e.g., "earned a PhD in Chemistry") provides more context and is often preferred in formal writing.