Cool MateEarn it vs Merit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Earn it
Top 2,000 (common)
Merit
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Earn it | Merit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɜːn ɪt//🇺🇸 //ɜrn ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //ˈmɛrɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈmɛrɪt// |
| Meaning | To receive something through hard work or effort. | The quality of being good or deserving praise. |
| Example | I worked extra hours to earn it. | Her work has great merit, and it deserves recognition. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | earn it through hard work, earn it by practicing, earn it with dedication | academic merit, based on merit, merit increase, merit badge, meritocratic society |
| Antonyms | - | fault, deficiency, disadvantage |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'deserve it' which implies a right to something without effort., Using 'earn it' in contexts where something is given freely., Incorrectly using it to mean 'pay for' without the context of effort. | Confused with 'merit' vs 'merits' (plural form referring to multiple qualities), Using 'merit' as a verb instead of a noun, Overusing in informal conversations where simpler words could apply |
| Usage notes | Use 'earn it' when talking about deserving something through effort. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but may not be appropriate in situations where someone should receive something without effort. | Used in formal contexts to discuss qualifications and achievements. Avoid in casual speech. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Earn it vs Merit
What's the difference between Earn it and Merit?
Earn it: To receive something through hard work or effort. Merit: The quality of being good or deserving praise.
Can you show an example of each?
Earn it: I worked extra hours to earn it. Merit: Her work has great merit, and it deserves recognition.
Can I use Earn it and Merit interchangeably?
Not always. Earn it and Merit are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.