has been earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been earned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been obtained or deserved over a period of time, often in relation to achievements or rewards. Example: "Her promotion has been earned through years of hard work and dedication to the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The criticism has been earned.

The New York Times - Arts

Every part of success they've achieved has been earned through hard work and hustle".

The New Yorker

I can't remember us getting much luck; everything we have has been earned".

The Guardian - Sport

When Lord Ha gives you a jacket, its wear and tear has been earned, however artificially.

The New York Times

Once a pension has been earned, it cannot legally be taken away.

The New York Times

For decades, a lot of that money has been earned by black athletes.

The Washington Post

"They benefit from the name that has been earned by the blood of the ancestors," she said.

The Washington Post

In the figures going back to 1979, the top 1% have got every 24p of every extra £1 that has been earned, and the bottom 50% have got just 15p that has been earned.

The Guardian

It is all in the packaging: we're O.K. with bling bling so long as we believe it has been earned.

The New York Times - Magazine

Each of these three judgment calls is made without the pressure of deciding whether a first down has been earned.

The New York Times

But when subscribers are lost, each expired subscription means the income has been earned and taxes must be paid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been earned" to emphasize that a positive outcome is the direct result of effort, skill, or merit, and not due to luck or chance.

Common error

Avoid using "has been earned" when referring to future events; instead, use "will be earned" or "can be earned" to maintain accurate tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been earned" functions as a passive construction within a sentence, indicating that something (like respect, success, or a reward) was obtained through effort or merit. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples from reliable sources where it describes outcomes achieved through dedicated work.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been earned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize that an achievement or status results from effort or merit. Ludwig AI analysis of its usage in various contexts, mainly in News & Media and Academia, reflects its common occurrence and acceptability in formal and informal settings. The phrase conveys a neutral tone and highlights the legitimacy of an outcome achieved through dedicated work, as supported by numerous real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been deserved

Focuses on the concept of deserving something based on actions or qualities.

has been won

Emphasizes the idea of gaining something through competition or struggle.

has been attained

Highlights the successful achievement of a goal or status.

has been achieved

Stresses the successful accomplishment of something, often through effort.

has been merited

Implies that something is rightfully deserved due to one's actions or qualities.

was rightfully obtained

Highlights the fairness and legitimacy of obtaining something.

was justly acquired

Emphasizes the fairness and legality of acquiring something.

has been reaped

Suggests gaining a reward or benefit as a result of previous actions, often with an agricultural connotation.

has been secured

Focuses on the act of making something safe and guaranteed, often through effort or strategy.

is a hard-won victory

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in achieving a success.

FAQs

How can I use "has been earned" in a sentence?

The phrase "has been earned" indicates that something has been rightfully gained through effort or merit. For example, "Their success "has been earned" through years of dedication" or "The respect he receives "has been earned" through his integrity".

What are some alternatives to "has been earned"?

Alternatives to "has been earned" include "has been deserved", "has been won", or "has been attained" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been earned" or "was earned"?

Both "has been earned" and "was earned" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Has been earned" implies a connection to the present, suggesting the effects of earning are still relevant, while "was earned" refers to a past event with no explicit connection to the present.

What's the difference between "has been earned" and "is earned"?

"Has been earned" indicates a completed action with present relevance (past perfect), while "is earned" expresses a general truth or ongoing process (simple present). For example, "Respect "is earned" over time" versus "His reputation "has been earned" through years of honesty".