earned my degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earned my degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the completion of an academic program or qualification. Example: "After four years of hard work, I finally earned my degree in biology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I earned my degree in English literature in 1963, and my master's two years later.

The New York Times

I attended college at Catholic University in Washington and earned my degree in sociology in 1989.

The New York Times

Shortly after I earned my degree, caught in a constellation of simultaneous disappointments, I found myself in a locked psychiatric ward.

The New Yorker

I earned my degree in computer engineering, but I decided that it wasn't as much fun as being on the selling floor.

The New York Times

Before I earned my degree as a holistic nutritionist, I went around trying to tell my family what to eat, illegally practicing medicine, and giving friends supplements to help them get pregnant, or to dissolve cysts.

The New Yorker

Although I studied pottery in college, I earned my degree in painting and printmaking.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Can I earn my degree entirely online?

Columbia University

The flexibility of the timeframe allowed me to continue to work and raise my family while earning my degree.

Harvard University

"I am committed to earning my degree in architectural design from Stanford University and am on track to accomplish this at the completion of the spring quarter of 2012," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was really comforting to come back to school and throw myself into something more stable -- write papers, study for tests, earn my degree.

The New York Times

Getting full-time work experience while earning my degree allowed me to simultaneously develop my business acumen and higher education expertise.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "earned my degree" is suitable for both formal and informal settings, but "obtained my degree" might be preferable in very formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "got my degree" in formal writing, as it can sound less professional than "earned my degree" or "obtained my degree". "Got" is more colloquial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earned my degree" functions as a statement of accomplishment, indicating the successful completion of a course of study. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Many examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing educational achievements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earned my degree" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted way to express the completion of an academic qualification. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English. It is commonly used in news and media, as well as in academic contexts. While alternatives such as "obtained my degree" or "received my degree" exist, "earned my degree" emphasizes the effort and dedication involved. When using the phrase, consider the audience and context, opting for more formal alternatives in specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtained my degree

Uses a different verb ("obtained" instead of "earned") to convey the same meaning of receiving a degree.

Received my degree

Employs "received" as a synonym for "earned", indicating the act of being awarded a degree.

Completed my degree

Focuses on the completion aspect of the degree, rather than the effort implied by "earned".

Finished my degree

Similar to "completed", this emphasizes the termination of the degree program.

Graduated with my degree

Highlights the graduation ceremony and the achievement of obtaining a degree.

Was awarded my degree

Passive voice construction, emphasizing the awarding of the degree by an institution.

Successfully gained my degree

Adds "successfully" to emphasize the positive outcome of the effort to earn a degree.

Acquired my degree

Implies the gaining of knowledge and skills necessary to obtain a degree.

Secured my degree

Suggests that the degree was obtained through competitive or challenging circumstances.

Achieved my degree

Highlights the accomplishment and effort put into obtaining the degree.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "earned my degree"?

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

Is it correct to say "earned my degree"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to express the completion of an academic qualification. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is valid and usable in written English.

What is the difference between "earned my degree" and "received my degree"?

While both phrases are similar, "earned my degree" emphasizes the effort and hard work put into obtaining the degree, whereas "received my degree" simply indicates that the degree was awarded.

How to use "earned my degree" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like: "After years of study, I finally earned my degree in engineering." or "She earned her degree while working full-time."