how much I make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how much I make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing one's income or salary, often in the context of transparency or inquiry about earnings. Example: "I'm often asked how much I make, but I prefer to keep that information private."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It's not a question of how much I make.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If I tell you how much I make, people won't want to buy from me anymore," Mr. Orobona said.

The New York Times

"Well, for one thing," she said, "he wanted to know how much I make.

The New Yorker

"I tell the vendors at home about how much I make here doing what they are doing," Mr. Villalona said.

The New York Times

Responding to an e-mail query about his finances, he wrote: "I don't know how much I make in a good year.

The New York Times - Magazine

(I work on Wall Street, in private equity, and while I don't think that I earn a super-salary, I also know there's no way to justify how much I make relative to a nurse).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I have no idea how much I made last year.

The New York Times

"Mr Lowe, I wish that I made enough money that I didn't have to know how much I made," said Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont.

The Guardian - Business

I was always incredibly obsessive about my work, and I don't know how much I made that more extreme by drug use.

The Guardian

And because it's hard to predict, I just put in how much I made in 2013, assuming it would be about the same.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stiller is convinced that the picture's box-office — it grossed a hundred and fifty-three million dollars worldwide, basically breaking even — was constrained by its marketing: "But, no matter how much I made my position known, I would never have gotten the studio around to doing something that was so inventive that they'd say, 'Wow!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use specific terms like "salary", "wages", or "income" depending on the exact type of earnings you're referencing to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that everyone is comfortable discussing their income. It is crucial to respect individual privacy and be mindful of cultural norms regarding financial transparency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how much I make" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It introduces a question or statement about one's income, as seen in Ludwig's examples from various news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science & Research

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how much I make" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for discussing one's income. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, the appropriateness of using this phrase depends heavily on the context and audience. Related phrases include "my total compensation" and "my annual income", offering alternative ways to convey the same information with varying degrees of formality and specificity. When discussing earnings, it is crucial to be mindful of transparency norms and cultural sensitivities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my earnings

A more general term for income.

my salary

Focuses specifically on the fixed compensation received for employment.

my annual income

Specifies the earnings received over a year.

my take-home pay

Refers specifically to the money received after all deductions.

what I bring home

Emphasizes the net income after deductions.

my total compensation

Focuses on the comprehensive value of earnings, including salary, benefits, and other perks.

how much I gross

Focuses on the total income before deductions.

my financial gains

Highlights the financial profit or benefit received.

what I clear annually

Highlights the annual net income after taxes and other deductions.

my remuneration

A formal term for payment received for services.

FAQs

What's a polite way to ask someone "how much I make" in their profession?

Instead of directly asking "how much I make", you might inquire about the average salary range for their position in their location. Resources like Glassdoor or Salary.com can also provide this information.

What can I say instead of "how much I make" to sound more professional?

Consider using terms like "my compensation", "my earnings", or "my annual income" to sound more professional when discussing "how much I make".

Is it appropriate to discuss "how much I make" with coworkers?

Discussing "how much I make" with coworkers can be a complex issue. While it can promote pay transparency and equity, it can also lead to discomfort or resentment. Consider your company's culture and policies before sharing this information.

How can I determine if "how much I make" is fair for my role and experience?

Research salary benchmarks for your position, location, and experience level. Compare "how much I make" to these benchmarks and consider factors like your skills, performance, and company benefits to assess fairness.