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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
earned credentials
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "earned credentials" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to qualifications or certifications that someone has obtained through education, training, or experience. Example: "After completing the rigorous training program, she proudly displayed her earned credentials on her resume."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(15)
obtained qualifications
gained expertise
attained degrees
established proficiency
demonstrated competence
proven track record
acquired qualifications
educational accomplishments
skills acquired
gained qualifications
training attained
skills attained
qualifications attained
achieved qualifications
academic achievements
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
In 1973, he earned credentials as a certified public accountant and joined a Chicago accounting firm.
News & Media
Some of the people who did graduate from their programs may have earned credentials that were less expensive than the typical four-year degree, but also had less payoff.
News & Media
Institutions could for one or another good reason properly depart from standard meritocratic selection criteria because the whole system of tying economic reward to earned credentials was itself indefensible.
Science
She was a single mom working as a bookkeeper in 1992 when she became certified as an EA, and later she earned credentials to practice before the U.S. Tax Court.
News & Media
Indeed, she stressed how she also thinks about the product as something akin to "credentials 2.0" and as a way to liberate data about learners that is now typically held by colleges (report cards, transcripts, earned credentials etc.).
News & Media
Go through recertification as necessary to keep any earned credentials.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
54 human-written examples
Displaced workers are registering in droves to earn credentials that might get them back in the game.
News & Media
Alongside that, though, said Reif, many universities will offer online courses to students anywhere in the world, in which they will earn "credentials" — certificates that testify that they have done the work and passed all the exams.
News & Media
For-profit colleges and vocational schools have been accused in recent years of encouraging students to earn credentials that do not increase earning potential enough to justify their student loan debt.
News & Media
But if students drop out of college — or earn credentials that are not valued in the labor market — their grant dollars have yielded little return for society and their loans are much less likely to be repaid.
News & Media
Students in General Assembly classes will earn credentials after completing a series of tests around problem-solving and general knowledge.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "earned credentials" to emphasize qualifications gained through effort and achievement, rather than innate talent or privilege.
Common error
Avoid using "earned credentials" in a way that sounds arrogant or self-important. Instead, let the credentials speak for themselves or use them to demonstrate competence in a specific context.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "earned credentials" functions as a noun phrase, where "earned" acts as a past participle modifying the noun "credentials". This construction typically describes qualifications or certifications that have been actively obtained through effort and achievement, which Ludwig AI confirms.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
30%
Wiki
20%
Less common in
Academia
10%
Formal & Business
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "earned credentials" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes qualifications obtained through effort and achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its usage spans across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science and Wiki and the phrase emphasizes active acquirement, making it suitable for highlighting dedication and skill. While generally neutral to professional in register, writers should avoid using it in an arrogant manner. Alternatives include "obtained qualifications" or "acquired certifications", offering subtle nuances in meaning.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
obtained qualifications
Focuses on the act of getting the qualifications.
acquired certifications
Emphasizes formal validation through certification.
gained expertise
Highlights the development of skill and knowledge.
achieved accreditation
Implies meeting standards set by an accrediting body.
attained degrees
Specifically refers to academic qualifications.
secured licenses
Relates to permissions granted by an authority.
established proficiency
Highlights a high level of competence.
demonstrated competence
Emphasizes proven abilities and skills.
proven track record
Highlights past achievements as validation.
validated skills
Refers to skills that have been formally assessed and confirmed.
FAQs
How can I use "earned credentials" in a sentence?
You can use "earned credentials" to highlight the qualifications someone has gained through effort, for example: "She displayed her "earned credentials" proudly on her resume." or "Business leaders recognize the value of upskilling and are calling for a greater focus on helping employees "earn credentials"."
What are some alternatives to saying "earned credentials"?
Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "obtained qualifications", "acquired certifications", or "gained expertise". Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of achieving competence.
Is it more appropriate to say "earned credentials" or "received credentials"?
"Earned credentials" emphasizes the effort and achievement involved in gaining the qualifications, while "received credentials" is more neutral and simply indicates the act of getting them. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.
In what contexts is "earned credentials" most commonly used?
The phrase "earned credentials" is frequently used in contexts related to education, professional development, and career advancement, such as news articles about workforce training programs or academic discussions about the value of qualifications.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested