not earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not earned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been acquired or deserved, often in contexts related to achievements or rewards. Example: "The promotion was given to someone who had not earned it, leading to dissatisfaction among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Privileges are bought, not earned.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Trust is given here, not earned.

The New York Times

Had its sacrifice not earned it fast-tracked EU membership?

Independent

It can't be taught, and it's not earned with age.

The New York Times

They have not earned that right, Ryan said.

The New York Times - Sports

These principles are: never take money that is not earned.

Independent

G.M. has not earned a full-year profit since 2004.

The New York Times

The problem is that Embree has not earned Torre's trust.

The New York Times

These principles are: never take money that is not earned.

The Guardian - Sport

You wouldn't want to feel you'd not earned your seat.

The Guardian

According to the Christian tradition, grace is not earned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not earned" to clearly indicate that something was received without the necessary effort, qualification, or deserving qualities. This emphasizes the lack of justification.

Common error

Avoid using "not earned" solely based on personal opinion without objective criteria. Ensure there is a clear understanding of what constitutes 'earning' something in the given context before making the judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not earned" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something has been received or obtained without the necessary effort, merit, or qualification. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something that hasn't been acquired or deserved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Huffington Post

33%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science & Research

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not earned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something received without proper merit or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. Its primary function is adjectival, serving to modify nouns and express a lack of deservingness. The phrase maintains a neutral register and appears commonly in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts. When writing, ensure that the judgment of something being "not earned" is based on objective criteria and a clear understanding of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeserved

Focuses on the lack of merit or qualification for something received.

unmerited

Similar to "undeserved", emphasizing the lack of deserving quality.

not deserved

A direct synonym, highlighting the lack of entitlement.

unwarranted

Implies the absence of justification or reason for something.

unjustified

Stresses the lack of a valid reason or excuse.

unearned

Highlights the absence of effort or work put in.

gratuitous

Suggests something given freely or without reason, often implying excessiveness.

unjust

Focuses on the unfairness of the situation.

without justification

Emphasizes the lack of any valid basis for something.

not justified

A more verbose way of saying "unjustified".

FAQs

How can I use "not earned" in a sentence?

You can use "not earned" to describe something that someone has received without deserving it or putting in the necessary effort. For instance, "The praise he received was "not earned" because he didn't contribute to the project."

What's a good alternative to "not earned"?

Alternatives include "undeserved", "unmerited", or "unjustified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not earned" or "unearned"?

Both "not earned" and "unearned" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. However, "unearned" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing, while "not earned" may sound more natural in casual conversation.

Can "not earned" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "not earned" can be applied to abstract concepts such as respect, trust, or forgiveness. For example, "Forgiveness that is "not earned" can be considered cheap forgiveness."