earning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "earning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to money that is gained through employment or investments. For example: "John was able to save up enough money for a new car by earning a consistent income."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it was not alone: firms like Ford, Standard Oil, and Bethlehem Steel employed huge numbers of well-paid workers while earning big profits.

The Economist

Farage was the only leader to provoke an emotional reaction, earning laughs and applause from at least two of the male viewers, who had voted Lib Dem and Labour in 2010.

The Guardian

The ban does not prevent schools from earning the right to host a regional event, as with postseason baseball and women's basketball tournaments.

The Guardian - Sport

It did, however, contrive to make global headlines, earning the defender the nickname "Llama" in honour of the South American camelid's prodigious ability for hurling projectiles manufactured from saliva.

The Guardian - Sport

However, in Hungary's cash-strapped hospitals, such a move has proved divisive, as new doctors who have signed five-year handcuff agreements can now be earning more than senior specialists.

The Guardian

Within Zapu, Msipa, a Shona-speaker, had consistently advocated amalgamation with Zanu-PF – earning him the ire of Ndebele-speaking colleandes – and was considerably more sympathetic to Zanu-PF and its leader than others in his party.

The Guardian

He said he was not going to ask working-class Americans, students and the elderly to pay for reducing the deficit while those like himself earning more than $250,000 a year "were not asked to pay a dime more" in taxes.

The Guardian

The prime minister, Tony Abbott, referred to the 240,000 figure when announcing the government's childcare package, which includes scrapping the existing $7,500 cap on childcare payments for people earning up to $185,000, and removing all subsidies for families in which neither parent is working but earn more than $65,000.

The Guardian

The increase in the income tax for those earning over $180,000 (that is the top 3% of income earners) is expected to raise $3.1bn over the next four years.

The Guardian - Business

There are scores of cards on the market offering 0% interest on these debt switches for a set period, though to get the best ones you will typically need to have a very good credit rating and be earning above a minimum amount.

The Guardian - Money

You may believe that it is an unfair travel subsidy for users who are mostly professional men earning more than £50k anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earning" to denote acquiring non-monetary benefits or rewards, such as "earning respect" or "earning recognition".

Common error

Avoid using "earning" when "winning" is more appropriate. "Earning" implies effort and deservedness, while "winning" suggests success in a competition or chance event. For example, you earn a salary but win a lottery.

Linguistic Context

The term "earning" functions as a present participle, often used to describe an ongoing action or state of gaining something, typically through effort or work. It also can be used as a gerund, acting as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earning" is a versatile term functioning as a present participle or gerund, denoting the process of acquiring something through effort or merit. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and general media. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "earning", it is crucial to distinguish it from similar terms like "winning" or "receiving", as "earning" specifically emphasizes the element of effort or deservedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Making money

Focuses specifically on the monetary aspect of earning.

Generating income

Highlights the process of producing revenue.

Acquiring wealth

Emphasizes the accumulation of riches.

Obtaining benefits

Broadens the scope to include non-monetary advantages.

Securing gains

Implies a deliberate effort to ensure profits or advantages.

Reaping rewards

Suggests receiving something positive as a result of effort.

Profiting from

Highlights the financial benefit derived from something.

Accumulating assets

Focuses on gathering possessions of value.

Deriving revenue

Similar to generating income, but often used in a more formal context.

Garnering support

Shifts the focus from financial gain to gaining approval or backing.

FAQs

How can I use "earning" in a sentence?

You can use "earning" to describe the act of gaining something through effort or work. For example, "She is "earning a good salary"" or "He is "earning respect" in the community".

What's a good substitute for the word "earning"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "making money", "generating income", or "acquiring wealth".

Is it correct to say "earning a win"?

While possible, it's more common and precise to say "achieving a win" or "securing a win". "Earning" typically applies to things gained through continuous effort, whereas "win" implies a specific victory.

What is the difference between "earning" and "receiving"?

"Earning" implies effort or work to gain something, while "receiving" simply means getting something, regardless of whether effort was involved. For example, you might earn a promotion, but receive a gift.