Earn money / win money: not the same meaning
Written by Lilian Ndongmo. ESL Teacher
Earn money and win money are confusing especially for native French speakers. In French, gagner de l’argent means earn money and win money. However, the difference in meaning can be deduced from the context of the sentence.
Meaning
To earn money means to receive money as compensation for a job that you do or a service that you provide.
Examples: 1. Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Sidney Crosby, Eto’o Fils are athletes who earn a lot of money.
2. Do you think a teacher should earn as much money as a medical doctor?
3. She usually saves half of the money she earns.
To win money means to receive money as compensation for a bet or for playing a game.
Examples: 1. The homeless woman played the lottery and won $40 million.
2. If you bet on that horse, you might win a lot of money.
3. Would you rather earn your money or win your money?