earned a scholarship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earned a scholarship" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has received financial assistance for their education based on academic or other achievements. Example: "After months of hard work and dedication, she finally earned a scholarship to her dream university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ridge earned a scholarship to Harvard University (B.S., 1967).

Encyclopedia Britannica

So well, that he has earned a scholarship to attend a community college this fall.

The New York Times

McIntyre was a walk-on at Fresno State before he earned a scholarship.

The New York Times - Sports

By Sean's senior year, he had earned a scholarship and was an all-American punter.

The New York Times - Sports

He later earned a scholarship to the Pratt Institute, he said.

The New York Times

He ultimately earned a scholarship to Ohio University, although he transferred after a year.

The New York Times - Sports

Sean learned to punt on his own and earned a scholarship to Iowa in 1988.

The New York Times - Sports

He eventually earned a scholarship and started the Wolverines' opener last season.

The New York Times

By the end of his senior season, he had earned a scholarship to Kansas.

The New York Times - Sports

He earned a scholarship to Kent State and was twice the Ohio amateur champion.

The New York Times - Sports

She excelled in sports and academics, and had earned a scholarship to an engineering college.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earned a scholarship" to highlight the effort and achievement involved in receiving financial aid for education. For instance, showcase how hard work and dedication led to acquiring the scholarship.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all scholarships are solely based on academic merit. Some scholarships consider athletic ability, community service, or specific talents. Ensure that the context accurately reflects the criteria used to award the scholarship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earned a scholarship" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action performed by an individual. It signifies that someone has achieved or merited financial assistance for their education due to their efforts or qualifications. Ludwig confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earned a scholarship" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression signifying that an individual has received financial aid for education due to their efforts or merits. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's common across news, encyclopedias, and general writing. It is a neutral term that emphasizes achievement and recognition, making it suitable for diverse contexts. Related phrases include "received a scholarship" and "was awarded a scholarship", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to highlight effort while using it, and avoid incorrectly assuming all scholarships are based on only academic merit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a scholarship

Focuses on the act of getting the scholarship, similar in meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.

obtained a scholarship

Highlights the effort involved in acquiring the scholarship.

was awarded a scholarship

Emphasizes the formal recognition and granting of the scholarship.

secured a scholarship

Suggests a competitive process and successful outcome in getting the scholarship.

qualified for a scholarship

Highlights that certain conditions have been fulfilled to receive a scholarship.

gained a scholarship

Similar to 'obtained', implying effort and achievement in getting the scholarship.

merited a scholarship

Indicates that the individual deserved the scholarship due to their qualities or achievements.

won a scholarship

Suggests a competitive scenario where the individual outperformed others to get the scholarship.

was granted a scholarship

Focuses on the act of the scholarship being officially given.

achieved a scholarship

Emphasizes the accomplishment of getting the scholarship.

FAQs

What's the difference between "earned a scholarship" and "received a scholarship"?

"Earned a scholarship" emphasizes the effort and merit involved in obtaining the scholarship, whereas "received a scholarship" is a more general term that simply indicates the scholarship was given.

Can I use "gained a scholarship" instead of "earned a scholarship"?

Yes, "gained a scholarship" is a suitable alternative. Both phrases imply effort and achievement, but "earned a scholarship" more directly highlights the deserving nature of the recipient.

Is it correct to say "won a scholarship"?

Yes, "won a scholarship" is correct and suggests a competitive selection process. It implies that the individual outperformed others to receive the scholarship.

How to use "earned a scholarship" in a sentence?

You can use "earned a scholarship" in sentences like, "After years of dedicated study, she earned a scholarship to a prestigious university" or "His outstanding athletic performance helped him earned a scholarship to college".