earn money — get paid
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcore
to receive money for working or providing a service.
Say it like a native
Textbook I obtain remuneration through freelance work.
Native I earn money doing freelance work.
'Earn money' is the plain phrase; 'obtain remuneration' is a payslip.
Pattern: earn money (by doing something)
In use
- She earns money by teaching English online.work
- In my opinion, teenagers should learn how to earn money, because it teaches them responsibility and independence.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I earn money for working in a café.
✓ I earn money working in a café. / I earn money from my café job.
Use '-ing' or 'from' — not 'for working'.
Common collocations
earn money (+ doing)— a living, enough, good money, from
Don't confuse it
'Earn money' is different from 'make money' in that 'make money' can also mean to profit from investments or business, not just from working.