having earned

USAGE SUMMARY

"having earned" is a correct phrase in written English.
It is commonly used in combination with other verbs, such as "been," "received," "accomplished," or "deserved." "Having earned" is a past participle phrase that indicates an action or accomplishment that has already been completed. Example: Having earned her Bachelor's degree, Sarah felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last year, Forbes named her the world's top-earning celebrity having earned $170 million in 2016.

Forbes

Mujeeb alone was allowed to stay, having earned some trust.

The New York Times

They depart Lancashire pointless but having earned many admirers.

The Guardian - Sport

He reported having earned more than $4 million from it.

The New York Times - Arts

They view the longshoremen as having earned this compensation level.

The New York Times

She chose it herself, having earned this right.

The New York Times - Books

My colleagues in workshop always (gently) reprimanded me for not having "earned" synesthesia.

The New Yorker

By Christmas, Kiana was gone, having earned her way back to public school.

The New York Times - Sports

But at least China can congatulate itself on having earned his full attention.

The Economist

Academy of Music after having earned a law degree from the University of Freiburg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

People value time and experience within the industry, and having earned your stripes.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having earned" to clearly indicate that an action or achievement precedes another action or state. This helps to establish a chronological sequence and a cause-and-effect relationship within the sentence. For example: "Having earned a reputation for excellence, the company attracted top talent."

Common error

Avoid separating "having earned" from the subject it modifies, as this can create confusion. For example, instead of writing "The prize, having earned it through hard work, was accepted by the student", write "Having earned it through hard work, the student accepted the prize."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having earned" functions as a gerund phrase or participial phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it typically precedes the main clause, indicating a completed action that influences the subsequent event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having earned" functions as a gerund or participial phrase, signifying that an action has been completed before another action takes place. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and is found very frequently in various forms of writing. Predominantly used in news and media, encyclopedias, and wikis, its register leans toward neutral to formal. Common alternatives include "after earning" and "upon earning". Correct usage involves ensuring the phrase appropriately modifies the subject and isn't misplaced within the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after earning

This alternative replaces the gerund form with a prepositional phrase indicating sequence.

upon earning

This alternative uses a more formal preposition indicating the moment of achievement.

because of earning

This option highlights the cause-and-effect relationship associated with earning something.

due to earning

Similar to "because of earning", this phrase emphasizes the reason or cause related to earning.

as a result of earning

This phrase expands on the cause-and-effect relationship, clarifying that the earning led to a specific outcome.

by virtue of earning

This formal alternative suggests that something is a consequence of the merit gained through earning.

in light of earning

This option indicates that something is considered or understood because something has been earned.

with the attainment of

This alternative phrase transforms the verb into a noun phrase focusing on the accomplishment.

acquiring through effort

This emphasizes the process of acquisition and the exertion involved.

deserving of

This suggests that something is warranted or merited because something has been earned.

FAQs

How can I use "having earned" in a sentence?

You can use "having earned" to indicate that an action or achievement occurred before another action. For example, "Having earned enough money, she decided to retire early."

What are some alternatives to "having earned"?

Alternatives include "after earning", "upon earning", or phrases like "due to earning" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "having earned" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. When used at the beginning of a sentence, "having earned" functions as a participial phrase modifying the subject of the main clause. Ensure the phrase is followed by a comma.

What's the difference between "having earned" and "after earning"?

"Having earned" emphasizes the completion of the earning action before the next action occurs. "After earning" simply indicates a sequence of events, without necessarily highlighting the impact or result of the earning action. Consider "Having earned the promotion, she celebrated with her colleagues" versus "After earning the promotion, she began her new role".