Cool MateEarn this vs Merit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Earn this
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Merit
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Merit
| Earn this | Merit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɜːn ðɪs//🇺🇸 //ɜrn ðɪs// | 🇬🇧 //ˈmɛrɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈmɛrɪt// |
| Meaning | Get something by working for it. | The quality of being good or deserving praise. |
| Example | If you want to play on the team, you need to earn this opportunity. | Her work has great merit, and it deserves recognition. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | earn this respect, earn this privilege, earn this opportunity, earn this trust, earn this title | academic merit, based on merit, merit increase, merit badge, meritocratic society |
| Antonyms | - | fault, deficiency, disadvantage |
| Common mistakes | Using 'earn' without specifying what is being earned., Confusing 'earn' with 'win' in casual contexts., Assuming 'this' refers only to money or salary. | 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 this' in contexts where someone needs to work hard or prove themselves to get something. It's often motivational. | Used in formal contexts to discuss qualifications and achievements. Avoid in casual speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Earn this vs Merit
What's the difference between Earn this and Merit?
Earn this: Get something by working for it. Merit: The quality of being good or deserving praise.
Which is more common: Earn this and Merit?
Merit is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Earn this: If you want to play on the team, you need to earn this opportunity. Merit: Her work has great merit, and it deserves recognition.
Can I use Earn this and Merit interchangeably?
Not always. Earn this 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.