One big difference between 'Earn' and 'Win' in English

10/8/2014

So this one is for speakers of a Romance language (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, to name but a few) in particular. I often hear these speakers make the same mistake and it is to do with earning money.

In their own language, you win money. So they think it's correct in their own language so why shouldn't it be as correct in English. While, that is logical, it unfortunately does not work like that.

As mentioned, in the first paragraph, you earn money in English, not win. It's as simple as that. Why can't every

So I've kept it short and sweet today. I hope you enjoyed. Comment below if you have any questions.

Eithne

10/10/2014 09:35:10 pm

Very interesting Jay. It reminded me too about my first shopping experiences on eBay. Having successfully bid on a small item - learning, in the process, how to bid and the importance of timing - I was then fascinated when I received an email notification from eBay congratulating me on "winning" the item, a watch.

But I didn't win it! I bought the watch and paid money in exchange for it. Being told I had "won" something as imposed to being told I had "bought" something only added to the excitement of the new shopping experience. And yet, all I had done was to shop, to buy something I wanted. I was being congratulated, in effect, for parting so easily with my money. I could only laugh. The emphasis was so nuanced I immediately wanted to bid again.

So, at the end of the day, did I "win" the watch or did I "buy" it? Did I feel better having"won it or having bought it? I think the answer is obvious.

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One big difference between 'Earn' and 'Win' in English

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