it was earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was earned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was deserved or obtained through effort or merit. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, the championship title was finally awarded to the team because it was earned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It was earned.

The New Yorker

He worked very hard and yes, it was earned legitimately.

The New York Times

The first taxes companies and people on their worldwide income, irrespective of where it was earned.

The Economist

"It wasn't given to us, it was earned," Sergeant Belesi said.

The New York Times

That his remarkable reputation is not an accident -- it was earned.

The New York Times - Sports

Ronald Reagan's victory over President Jimmy Carter was not inevitable; it was earned, with some help from outsiders.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Information is not free," he chided t3k-9, "is is earned".

Forbes

"But by paying out more than it was earning, EOP was retarding its future growth".

Forbes

As recently as 2007 it was earning $30 million a year — the amount it lost last year.

The New York Times

China, saving the dollars it was earning, in effect made money available for cheap loans.

The New York Times

By 2000, it was earning 3%.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was earned" to emphasize that an outcome or achievement was the result of hard work, dedication, or merit, rather than luck or chance.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid using "it was earned" in overly casual or informal settings where simpler phrases like "they deserved it" or "they worked for it" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was earned" functions as a declarative statement in the passive voice. It asserts that a particular outcome, status, or reward resulted from effort, merit, or deserving actions. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its usage in contexts where effort and deservingness are emphasized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was earned" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to highlight that an outcome or achievement was the result of effort and merit. Ludwig AI indicates that it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where its purpose is to emphasize legitimacy. While widely applicable, it’s best used in neutral to formal settings. Alternatives like "it was deserved" or "it was merited" can provide similar emphasis depending on the specific context. Remember to reserve "it was earned" for situations where you want to stress that something was not freely given but rather achieved through hard work and dedication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was well-deserved

Emphasizes the deserving nature of the achievement or outcome.

it was merited

Highlights that something was justified and deserved based on actions or qualities.

it was hard-won

Focuses on the difficulty and effort involved in achieving something.

it was legitimately obtained

Stresses the legality and fairness of how something was acquired.

it was fairly gained

Similar to legitimately obtained, but with an emphasis on ethical fairness.

it was achieved through effort

Directly states that effort was the cause of the accomplishment.

it was a product of labor

Highlights the work and toil involved in attaining something.

it was the result of dedication

Emphasizes long-term commitment and focus as the reason for success.

it was no accident

Indicates that the outcome was intentional and the result of deliberate action.

it was not freely given

Contrasts with being given something without effort; implies work was necessary.

FAQs

What does "it was earned" mean?

The phrase "it was earned" means that something was deserved or obtained through effort, hard work, or merit. It implies that the achievement was not accidental or freely given, but rather a result of dedication and labor.

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

You can use "it was earned" to emphasize that an outcome was the result of hard work. For example, "After years of training, the victory "it was earned"".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was deserved", "it was merited", or "it was hard-won depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was earned" or "it is earned"?

"It was earned" is used to describe something that has already been achieved through past effort. "It is earned" is used to describe something that is currently being or can be earned through ongoing effort.