we earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we earned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been gained or achieved through effort or work, typically in a collective context. Example: "After months of hard work and dedication, we earned the recognition we deserved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We earned this one.

The New York Times - Sports

We learned as we earned".

The New York Times - Arts

I thought we earned it.

The New York Times - Sports

Today we earned respect".

The Guardian - Sport

"Think we earned one.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We earned them.

The New York Times

We earned this position".

The New York Times - Sports

Because we earned it.

The New York Times - Sports

We earned it".

The New York Times

We earned that victory, plain and simple"..

The New York Times - Sports

Finally, we earned about $200 from Upromise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we earned" to emphasize that an achievement or outcome was the direct result of effort, skill, or dedication. It reinforces the idea of deservedness and accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "we earned" when the outcome was due to luck or external factors rather than effort. This can create a false impression of accomplishment. Make sure that the context clearly supports that the result followed after hard work and was not a lucky strike.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we earned" functions as a declarative statement asserting that a group (we) has rightfully gained something through effort, skill, or action (earned). The Ludwig AI shows this phrase is commonly used to express accomplishment and deservedness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

32%

General

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we earned" is a commonly used expression that signifies accomplishment through effort, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sport contexts, it serves to express pride and rightful ownership of achievements. While grammatically correct and versatile, it's best used when the outcome is genuinely a result of hard work, rather than luck. Alternatives like "we deserved" or "we achieved" can provide nuanced substitutions. In essence, "we earned" succinctly conveys that a group has rightfully gained something through its efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we deserved

Focuses more on the moral right to something rather than the effort expended.

we merited

Highlights the worthiness of receiving something based on actions or qualities.

we were entitled to

Emphasizes a legal or formal right to something.

we had a right to

Similar to "we were entitled to" but can also imply a moral or inherent right.

we were justified in

Highlights the fairness or reasonableness of an action or outcome.

we had it coming

Often used in a negative context, implying that a consequence was deserved.

we were due

Suggests something was owed or expected, often by agreement or expectation.

we have a claim to

Indicates a formal assertion of a right or title.

we are worthy of

Highlights the value or merit that makes someone deserving.

we are in line for

Suggests one is next to receive something, often due to seniority or prior actions.

FAQs

What's a good way to use "we earned" in a sentence?

You can use "we earned" to emphasize an achievement resulting from effort. For example: "After a season of hard work, "we earned" the championship title."

What can I say instead of "we earned" to express a similar idea?

Alternatives to "we earned" include "we deserved", "we achieved", or "we gained", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "we earned" differ from "we were given"?

"We earned" implies effort and deservedness, while "we were given" suggests that something was received without necessarily putting in effort. For example, ""we earned" the promotion through dedication", versus "we were given the promotion as a gift".

Is it correct to use "we earned" in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "we earned" is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. However, in highly formal contexts, you might opt for a more sophisticated synonym such as "we attained" or "we procured".