it had earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it had earned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been acquired or deserved in the past, often in relation to recognition, respect, or rewards. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, it had earned the respect of its peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, the film profited in Mumbai after its release in Maharashtra on Monday and during its run, and it had earned within four weeks.

Wikipedia

HOYAS OVERPOWER PANTHERS Georgetown showed why it had earned its lofty national ranking, brushing aside 13th-seeded Pittsburgh.

The New York Times - Sports

The luxury hotels and skyscrapers were barely built before it had earned its reputation as the next big cosmopolitan city.

The New York Times

The day after "Community" came back on March 15, the Nielsens showed that it had earned its highest rating in a year.

The New York Times

In the end, the spirit of the season prevailed, and we completed the list confident every book on it had earned its place.

The New York Times - Books

The farmer and his lawyer argued that once Monsanto had sold seeds to Bowman and other farmers, it had earned its just profit from the sale.

Los Angeles Times

The controversy has cost GoldieBlox some of the good will it had earned with its message of female empowerment.

The New Yorker

Merrill Lynch, for instance, lost just between 2006 and 2008 something like a third of all the profits it had earned in its entire existence.

The New Yorker

The company separately announced on Friday that it had earned $4.9 million in its second quarter, up from $3.8 million during the same period last year.

The New York Times

On the same day Goldman announced its sale, the firm said it had earned a record $1.04 billion in the second quarter of this year.

The Economist

"Black Sails" decided in its third episode [spoiler alert] that it had earned the right to show a woman being kidnapped, brutalized and publicly raped.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it had earned", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to and what was earned. This helps maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it had earned" without a clear antecedent for 'it'. Ensure the reader understands what the 'it' is and what specific actions led to the earning. Otherwise, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it had earned" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. According to Ludwig AI, this indicates a completed action in the past that had consequences or relevance to a subsequent event or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it had earned" is a versatile and grammatically sound construct used to express that something has been acquired or deserved as a result of previous actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and applicable in various writing scenarios. While frequently found in news and media, "it had earned" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Remember to ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "it had gained" or "it had achieved" to refine your meaning. With a high expert rating and frequent usage, "it had earned" is a reliable and effective phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had gained

Focuses on the acquisition of something, whether tangible or intangible, but doesn't necessarily imply deserving it.

it had won

Implies success in a competition or contest, leading to the acquisition of a prize or title.

it had achieved

Highlights the accomplishment of a goal or objective through effort and skill.

it had obtained

Suggests the acquisition of something, often through a formal process or transaction.

it had merited

Emphasizes the deserving nature of the acquisition, implying that it was earned through good qualities or actions.

it had deserved

Directly states that something was rightfully earned or warranted.

it had secured

Suggests a sense of safety and possession regarding what has been acquired.

it had reaped

Implies gaining something as a result of previous actions, often in the context of consequences or rewards.

it had collected

Indicates accumulating something over time, like data, experiences, or revenue.

it had landed

Suggests successfully acquiring something desirable, often after a competitive process.

FAQs

How can I use "it had earned" in a sentence?

Use "it had earned" to indicate that something had acquired or deserved something in the past. For example, "After years of dedication, "it had earned" the team's respect".

What can I say instead of "it had earned"?

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

Is "it had earned" formal or informal?

"It had earned" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific context to ensure it aligns with your intended tone. Using more formal alternatives may be more appropriate in academic or professional documents.

How does "it had earned" differ from "it earned"?

"It had earned" indicates that the earning occurred in the past and is now complete, while "it earned" suggests that the earning occurred more recently or is an ongoing process. The past perfect tense in ""it had earned"" places emphasis on the completed nature of the action.