must be earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be earned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that requires effort, merit, or achievement to obtain or deserve. Example: "Respect is not given freely; it must be earned through consistent actions and integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It must be earned".

The New York Times

Yes, that must be earned.

Independent

Applause must be earned.

The Guardian - Opinion

They must be earned.

The Guardian - Tech

Respect must be earned rather than demanded.

Independent

But trust must be earned.

The Guardian - Tech

It must be earned, hour by hour.

The New York Times

"Authority must be earned," Señor C asserts.

The New York Times - Books

This revelation, however obvious, must be earned.

The New Yorker

But they are a treat that must be earned.

The Guardian - Travel

It must be earned daily through continuous acts of virtue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be earned" to emphasize that something is not a right or entitlement, but rather a privilege or reward that requires effort, skill, or good behavior. For example, "Respect "must be earned", not demanded."

Common error

Avoid using "must be earned" when implying that basic human rights or necessities are conditional. This can come across as insensitive or unjust. Instead, reserve it for privileges, rewards, or achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be earned" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suggests that something is not freely given but requires effort or merit to obtain. Examples in Ludwig show its application across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be earned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that underscores the necessity of effort, merit, or specific actions to obtain something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a modal passive construction, emphasizing that certain achievements, rewards, or privileges are not entitlements. The phrase finds prevalent use in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. Related phrases include ""has to be deserved"" and ""needs to be achieved"". It's important to use this phrase judiciously, avoiding its application to fundamental rights or necessities to prevent any insensitivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be deserved

Emphasizes the deserving aspect, focusing on whether something is warranted based on actions or qualities.

needs to be achieved

Highlights the accomplishment needed to gain something, focusing on the attainment of a goal.

is not freely given

Focuses on the lack of automatic granting, implying effort is necessary.

requires dedication

Stresses the necessity of commitment and sustained effort.

demands hard work

Highlights the need for strenuous effort and labor.

is contingent on effort

Focuses on the dependency of obtaining something on the application of effort.

is conditional upon merit

Highlights that obtaining something is dependent on demonstrating worth or deservingness.

is predicated on performance

Focuses on how something depends on a certain level of achievement.

necessitates contribution

Highlights that gaining something requires providing something of value.

warrants active participation

Emphasizes that something can only be obtained with active engagement.

FAQs

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

You can use "must be earned" to emphasize that something requires effort, skill, or good behavior to obtain. For instance, "Trust "must be earned" through consistent honesty and reliability."

What are some alternatives to "must be earned"?

Alternatives include "has to be deserved", "needs to be achieved", or "is not freely given" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "must be deserved" instead of "must be earned"?

While both phrases convey a similar idea, ""has to be deserved"" often emphasizes moral or ethical justification, whereas "must be earned" highlights the effort or action required.

What is the difference between "must be earned" and "should be earned"?

"Must be earned" implies a necessity or requirement, while "should be earned" suggests a recommendation or ideal scenario. The former is more forceful, indicating that something will not be granted without effort.