it must be earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must be earned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the necessity of gaining something through effort or merit, often in contexts like respect, trust, or rewards. Example: "In our organization, we believe that trust is not given freely; it must be earned through consistent performance and integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It must be earned".

The New York Times

It must be earned, hour by hour.

The New York Times

It must be earned daily through continuous acts of virtue.

The Guardian - Opinion

It must be earned, and it's not supposed to be easy.

The New York Times

The truth is, it must be earned, and today the United States is passing up opportunities to earn it.

The New York Times

It must be earned, especially by those who cannot, or will not, say how they propose to do so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Instead of just giving your child a cell phone upgrade because he or she wants it, make it a privilege that must be earned.

WikiHow

Asia's challenges remain formidable, and its future prosperity must be earned.

The Guardian

And, like every discipline, it can be learned and must be earned.

Harvard Business Review

Because, let's face it, those are descriptives that must be earned by the person being described.

Huffington Post

Patriarchal notions mean manhood must be earned, that it is out of reach for some men, and that it is perpetually in jeopardy for all the rest.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it must be earned" to underscore that certain benefits, like respect or trust, aren't automatic but are the result of consistent effort and integrity. For instance, 'Trust in leadership isn't automatically granted; "it must be earned".'

Common error

Avoid using "it must be earned" in situations where it implies that basic rights or necessities are privileges. For example, saying 'Healthcare must be earned' suggests that access to healthcare is not a fundamental right.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must be earned" primarily functions as a statement of requirement or condition. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase underscores that certain achievements, privileges, or states are not freely given but necessitate effort and merit. Examples found confirm this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it must be earned" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize that certain desirable outcomes require effort, merit, or hard work. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, the phrase underscores the principle that valuable achievements are not freely given but rather are the result of consistent effort. Alternatives such as "it has to be deserved" or "it needs to be deserved" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in tone. When using this phrase, it's best to avoid implying that basic rights or necessities are privileges and to ensure it reinforces the importance of effort and integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has to be deserved

Replaces 'must' with 'has to', slightly changing the level of obligation but keeping the core meaning.

it needs to be deserved

Substitutes 'must' with 'needs to', softening the tone while still highlighting the requirement of deserving.

it requires earning

Transforms the phrase into an active construction, focusing on the act of earning rather than the necessity.

it is not freely given

Shifts the perspective to what it is not, implying that effort is needed instead of a free offering.

it is gained through effort

Explicitly mentions the means of acquisition, emphasizing the role of effort.

it is a privilege to be obtained

Highlights the sense of privilege associated with achieving something that requires effort.

it is contingent on merit

Emphasizes that the acquisition depends on possessing merit or worthiness.

it necessitates hard work

Focuses on the hard work involved as a prerequisite.

it demands dedication

Highlights the requirement of dedication for achieving it.

it's all about what you put in

Emphasizes that the results depend on the input and effort applied.

FAQs

What does "it must be earned" mean?

The phrase "it must be earned" means that something valuable, like respect, trust, or success, is not freely given but requires effort, hard work, or merit to obtain.

How can I use "it must be earned" in a sentence?

You can use "it must be earned" to emphasize that effort is required to gain something. For example, "Recognition in this field isn't automatic; "it must be earned" through years of dedication and hard work."

What can I say instead of "it must be earned"?

You can use alternatives like "it has to be deserved", "it needs to be deserved", or "it requires earning" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it must be earned" or "it should be earned"?

"It must be earned" implies a stronger necessity or requirement than "it should be earned". The best choice depends on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.