had earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had earned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone gained something, such as respect or a reward, in the past before another past event. Example: "By the time he retired, he had earned numerous accolades for his contributions to the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He had earned the job".

The New York Times - Sports

Nashban had earned his stripes.

The New York Times - Sports

They had earned the doubts.

The New York Times - Sports

He had earned nothing.

The New York Times

They had earned it.

The New York Times - Sports

The honeyguide had earned its name.

Independent

"I feel I had earned this award.

Independent

She had earned her way.

The New York Times - Sports

They had earned their market.

The New York Times

She had earned around $56,000 a year.

The New York Times

Through Thursday, it had earned $82.1 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had earned" to clearly establish that an action or quality led to a specific outcome or recognition in the past. For instance, "Because of her hard work, she "had earned" the promotion".

Common error

Avoid using "had earned" when referring to current situations or future expectations. "Has earned" or "will earn" are more appropriate. For example, instead of "She had earned the reward, so she's getting it now", use "She has earned the reward, so she's getting it now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had earned" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It signifies that an action of earning or gaining something was completed before another action or time in the past. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it indicates a cause-and-effect relationship in a past context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had earned" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase in the past perfect tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys that an action or quality merited a specific outcome in the past, before another past event. Predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, remember to use "had earned" to clearly establish past actions or qualifications that led to subsequent consequences. Consider alternatives like "had deserved" or "had achieved" for nuanced expression, and avoid misusing it in present tense scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had deserved

Replaces "earned" with "deserved", emphasizing moral entitlement rather than achievement.

had merited

Similar to "deserved" but implies a more formal or official recognition.

had won

Focuses on gaining something through competition or effort.

had achieved

Highlights the successful completion of a goal or task.

had acquired

Emphasizes the process of obtaining something over time.

had attained

Similar to "achieved" but often used for reaching a high level or status.

had gained

Focuses on the increase or accumulation of something, like experience or reputation.

had secured

Highlights the act of making something safe or certain through effort.

had reaped

Implies gaining something as a result of previous actions or investments.

had landed

Emphasizes acquiring a desired position or opportunity, often implying a degree of luck or opportunism.

FAQs

How do I use "had earned" in a sentence?

Use "had earned" to describe a situation where someone achieved something before a specific point in the past. For example, "By the time he retired, he "had earned" numerous accolades".

What can I say instead of "had earned"?

You can use alternatives like "had deserved", "had achieved", or "had gained", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "had earned" or "has earned"?

"Had earned" refers to the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. "Has earned" is present perfect, referring to an action completed before now. Use "had earned" when situating the earning in the more distant past relative to another past event.

What is the difference between "had earned" and "was earning"?

"Had earned" indicates a completed action in the past before another past action, while "was earning" indicates an ongoing action in the past. For example, "He "had earned" the award by the time he was 30" vs. "He was earning a reputation for excellence".