Earnt vs Earned: When To Use Each One In Writing?

Are you confused about whether to use “earnt” or “earned” in your writing? It’s a common dilemma, but fear not – we’re here to clear things up.

The proper word to use is “earned.” While “earnt” is a valid past tense form of “earn,” it is considered less common and is typically only used in certain dialects or informal situations.

So what do these words mean? “Earned” is the past tense of the verb “earn,” which means to receive money or other rewards in exchange for work or services. “Earnt” has the same meaning, but is simply a less common variation of the word.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “earnt” and “earned,” as well as some common usage examples and tips for ensuring you’re using the correct word in your writing.

Define Earnt

Earnt is a non-standard variant of the word earned. It is not commonly used in standard English, but is sometimes used in colloquial or dialectical speech. The word earnt is formed by adding the -t suffix to the past participle form of the verb earn, which is earned.

Define Earned

Earned is the past participle form of the verb earn. It is a regular verb, meaning that it follows the standard rules for forming the past tense and past participle in English. To earn means to receive money or other rewards in exchange for work or services performed. The past tense of earn is earned, and the present participle is earning.

For example, if someone works at a job and receives a salary or hourly wage, they can be said to have earned that money. Similarly, if someone performs a service for someone else, such as mowing their lawn or fixing their car, they can be said to have earned the payment they received for that service.

The concept of earning is closely related to the idea of merit or deservingness. When someone earns something, it implies that they have done something to deserve it, whether that is working hard, providing a valuable service, or meeting certain criteria or qualifications.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “earnt” and “earned” in a sentence.

How To Use “Earnt” In A Sentence

“Earnt” is a past tense form of the verb “earn.” It is commonly used in British English and is considered less common in American English. Here are some examples of how to use “earnt” in a sentence:

• She earnt a lot of money from her new job.
• He had earnt enough money to buy a new car.
• They had earnt their success through hard work and dedication.

It is important to note that “earnt” should only be used in the past tense and should not be used as a present tense verb.

How To Use “Earned” In A Sentence

“Earned” is the more common past tense form of the verb “earn” in American English. It can also be used in British English. Here are some examples of how to use “earned” in a sentence:

• She earned a promotion at work for her outstanding performance.
• He had earned the respect of his colleagues through his hard work.
• They had earned a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy.

“Earned” can also be used as a present tense verb, unlike “earnt.” Here are some examples:

• She earns a high salary at her new job.
• He is earning a degree in business administration.
• They earn a living by selling handmade crafts online.

It is important to use the correct form of the verb “earn” in a sentence to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

More Examples Of Earnt & Earned Used In Sentences

In this section, we will look at some examples of how to use the words earnt and earned in sentences. While these words are often used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences in how they are used in context.

Examples Of Using Earnt In A Sentence

• He earnt a lot of money from his investments.
• She earnt her degree in just three years.
• They earnt their reputation through hard work and dedication.
• He earnt the respect of his peers with his innovative ideas.
• She earnt a promotion by exceeding her sales targets.
• They earnt a living by selling handmade crafts at the market.
• He earnt a place on the team through his impressive performance at tryouts.
• She earnt a scholarship for her outstanding academic achievements.
• They earnt a following on social media by sharing their travel adventures.
• He earnt a medal for his bravery in the face of danger.

As you can see, earnt is often used in the context of earning something through hard work or achievement. It can also be used to describe earning money or a living.

Examples Of Using Earned In A Sentence

• He earned a high score on his exam.
• She earned a spot on the honor roll for her academic achievements.
• They earned a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy.
• He earned a promotion by demonstrating strong leadership skills.
• She earned a bonus for exceeding her sales targets.
• They earned a living by working long hours at the factory.
• He earned a degree in engineering from a top university.
• She earned a medal for her performance in the Olympic Games.
• They earned a standing ovation for their performance on stage.
• He earned the respect of his colleagues by always being honest and fair.

Earned is often used in the context of achieving something through effort or skill. It can also be used to describe earning money or a living.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to the usage of the words ‘earnt’ and ‘earned’, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, it is important to note that these two words have different meanings, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion in communication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using ‘Earnt’ As The Past Tense Of ‘Earn’

One of the most common mistakes people make is using ‘earnt’ as the past tense of ‘earn’. While ‘earnt’ is a legitimate word, it is not commonly used in American English. In fact, it is considered archaic and is more commonly used in British English. The correct past tense of ‘earn’ is ‘earned’.

2. Using ‘Earnt’ As A Present Tense Verb

Another mistake people make is using ‘earnt’ as a present tense verb. However, ‘earnt’ is not a present tense verb and should not be used as such. The correct present tense of ‘earn’ is ‘earn’.

3. Using ‘Earnt’ In Formal Writing

Using ‘earnt’ in formal writing is a mistake that should be avoided. As mentioned earlier, ‘earnt’ is considered archaic and is not commonly used in American English. It is important to use the correct form of the word in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes in the future:

• Use ‘earned’ as the past tense of ‘earn’ in American English.
• Use ‘earn’ as the present tense verb.
• Avoid using ‘earnt’ in formal writing.
• Proofread your writing to ensure you are using the correct form of the word.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “earnt” and “earned,” context is a crucial factor to consider. The decision of which to use can depend on the specific context in which they are being used. Let’s take a closer look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “earnt” and “earned” might change.

Formality

One factor that can influence the choice between “earnt” and “earned” is the level of formality in the context. “Earnt” is generally considered less formal than “earned,” and may be more appropriate in casual or informal settings. For example:

• “I earnt a lot of money last month.” – This sentence might be more appropriate in a conversation with friends or family.
• “I earned a substantial bonus for my work this quarter.” – This sentence might be more appropriate in a formal business setting.

Regional Variations

The choice between “earnt” and “earned” can also depend on regional variations in language use. In some parts of the world, “earnt” is the more commonly used form, while in others, “earned” is preferred. For example:

Region	Preferred Form
United Kingdom	Earnt
United States	Earned
Australia	Earnt
Canada	Earned

Verb Tense

The choice between “earnt” and “earned” can also depend on the verb tense being used. In some cases, “earnt” may be more appropriate in the past tense, while “earned” is preferred in the present tense. For example:

• “I earnt a lot of money last year.” – This sentence uses “earnt” in the past tense.
• “I have earned a lot of money in my career.” – This sentence uses “earned” in the present perfect tense.

Overall, it’s important to consider the context in which you are using “earnt” or “earned” in order to make the most appropriate choice. By taking into account factors like formality, regional variations, and verb tense, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using earnt and earned are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some explanations and examples for each case:

1. British English Vs American English

It’s important to note that the rules for using earnt and earned can differ between British English and American English. In British English, earnt is considered a valid past tense and past participle form of earn, while in American English, earned is the only accepted form.

For example:

British English	American English
He earnt a lot of money last year.	He earned a lot of money last year.

2. Colloquial Usage

There are some cases where earnt might be used colloquially, even in American English. This is often seen in informal speech or writing, and is not considered standard usage.

For example:

• “I earnt my keep by working hard.”
• “She earnt her stripes in the industry.”

3. Regional Variations

Regional variations can also play a role in the use of earnt and earned. In some parts of the world, earnt may be more commonly used than earned.

For example, in Australia and New Zealand, earnt is often used in both formal and informal writing and speech.

It’s important to note that while these exceptions exist, it’s generally best to stick to the standard rules for using earnt and earned in formal writing and communication.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of earnt and earned is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with either earnt or earned:

1. She __________ a promotion at work last month.
2. He __________ a lot of money from his part-time job.
3. I have __________ my degree in computer science.
4. They have __________ the trust of their customers over the years.

Answer Key:

1. earned
2. earnt
3. earned
4. earned

Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Word

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

1. She has __________ a lot of money from her investments.
2. He has __________ his reputation as a skilled surgeon.
3. They have __________ the respect of their peers through hard work.
4. I have __________ my keep by working hard.

Answer Key:

1. earned
2. earned
3. earnt
4. earnt

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of earnt and earned in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context of the sentence and the tense of the verb to ensure you are using the correct word.

Conclusion

After examining the differences between “earnt” and “earned,” it is clear that “earned” is the correct spelling of the word in most English-speaking countries. While “earnt” is considered a valid variant in some dialects, it is generally considered nonstandard and should be avoided in formal writing.

It is important to pay attention to the spelling and usage of words in order to communicate effectively and professionally. By understanding the rules of grammar and language use, we can avoid common mistakes and improve our writing skills.

Key Takeaways

• “Earned” is the standard spelling of the past tense of “earn” in most English-speaking countries.
• “Earnt” is a valid variant in some dialects, but it is generally considered nonstandard and should be avoided in formal writing.
• Pay attention to the spelling and usage of words to communicate effectively and professionally.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our writing skills and become more confident communicators.