that earned him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that earned him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an achievement or accomplishment that someone has received or earned. For example, "His hard work and dedication earned him a promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What nickname that earned him is unknown.

The New York Times

However, another charge of corruption that earned him six years' imprisonment stood.

The Guardian

His first published works were serious, straightforward histories that earned him recognition from the French Academy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You can still see the Hollywood-grade cheekbones that earned him legions of female admirers.

Independent

Cooper then appeared in a series of acclaimed films that earned him Academy Award nominations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We must rearm at once," he said, sentiments that earned him jeers from the isolationist community.

Harvard University

His entrepreneurial flair combined with a political career that earned him a knighthood and a peerage.

The Times

And he has softened the in-your-face style that earned him enemies years ago.

The New York Times

But it wasn't just his longevity that earned him the respect of such national figures.

The New York Times

It was his retrospective at the Hayward Gallery that earned him the shortlisting.

The Guardian - Arts

He then tacked on three days of paid engagements in Australia and New Zealand that earned him about $750,000.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that earned him" to clearly link an action, quality, or achievement to a positive outcome or recognition. For example: "His dedication to the project earned him a promotion."

Common error

Avoid using "that earned him" when describing negative consequences or punishments. Instead, use phrases like "that cost him" or "that led to him being."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that earned him" functions as a relative clause, specifically a non-restrictive clause, that modifies a noun and provides additional information about the reason for an achievement or status. It links an action or quality to a positive consequence, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that earned him" is a versatile and commonly used relative clause that connects an action or attribute to a positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. It's frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias and to a lesser extent in science. When using "that earned him", ensure it reflects a positive consequence, avoiding its application in negative situations. Consider alternatives like "which garnered him" or "leading to his attainment of" for a more formal tone, or "that brought him" for simplicity. Remember to use "that earned him" to highlight the reason behind an achievement or recognition, providing valuable context to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that brought him

A more direct and simple way of expressing the positive result.

that won him

Suggests a competitive aspect or victory in gaining something.

which garnered him

Emphasizes the act of gathering or accumulating something positive.

securing for him

Implies a sense of effort and success in obtaining something.

for which he received

A more formal and neutral way of stating the reception of something.

resulting in his acquisition of

Focuses on the outcome and the formal gaining of something.

bringing about his acquisition of

Focuses on the causal relationship and the act of acquiring something.

leading to his attainment of

Stresses the process and eventual achievement of something.

which made him worthy of

Highlights the worthiness and deservingness as a consequence.

as a reward for which he got

Explicitly frames the acquisition as a reward for previous actions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that earned him" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "which garnered him", "resulting in his acquisition of", or "leading to his attainment of" depending on the context.

What's a simpler way to say "that earned him"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "that brought him" or "which won him" for a more direct approach.

Is it correct to use "that earned him" for negative consequences?

No, "that earned him" should be used for positive outcomes. For negative consequences, use phrases like "that cost him" or "that led to".

What is the difference between "that earned him" and "because of him"?

"That earned him" indicates something positive he gained due to his actions or qualities. "Because of him" simply states a cause-and-effect relationship without necessarily implying a positive outcome.