Common Mistakes: 'Win", "Earn" & "Gain" (by Carla)

Hello all!

I hope you are well and continuing to keep busy these days.

Today, we are going to revise another common misconception: the differences between "win", "earn" and "gain". In Spanish, they all translate into "ganar", but there are subtle differences (also known as nuances) between these verbs. Mastering these three verbs and clearly knowing when to use each of them is one of the tell-tale signs of a more advanced level of English.

So, let's begin!

Difference in Meaning

For example:

To win the lottery = Ganar la lotería

To earn a salary = Ganarse el sueldo

To gain weight = Ganar peso --> "Gain" can sometimes also be translated as "conseguir".

Different Uses

How do we know when to use each verb? Practice.

In school, native speakers don't specifically learn when to use each verb. We just know through usage. So the best way you can learn is through reading more in English, watching films and series in English, and trying to speak as much as you can with native speakers (or people with high levels of English) :)

Each verb has a different idiomatic use, so we are going to revise the most common uses of each verb.

TO WIN

In a nutshell, to win expresses a sense of victory. So, a successful result in any type of competition will use "to win".

The most common uses are:

win a war = ganar una guerra

win a contest = ganar un concurso

win the lottery = ganar la lotería

win a competition = ganar una competición

win a championship = ganar un campeonato

win an election = ganar unas elecciones

win a race = ganar una carrera

win an argument = ganar una discusión

win a debate = ganar un debate

win a tender = ganar un concurso público

win a contract = ganar un contrato

** However, I do want to point point that when you want to say "ganar a alguien". We say "to beat + someone", never "to win + someone".

For example:

"Real Madrid won the match last night" = Real Madrid ganó el partido anoche

"Manchester United beat Real Madrid" = El Manchester United ganó al Real Madrid

TO GAIN

The main meaning of to gain involves merit and/or effort. It can also be used as a synonym for to rise or to augment. As I mentioned before, sometimes "to gain" can be also translated as "conseguir"

The most common uses are:

gain weight = ganar peso

gain strength = ganar fuerza

gain importance = ganar importancia

gain attention = conseguir atención

gain experience = ganar experiencia

gain momentum = ganar ímpetu

gain territory = ganar territorio

gain ground = ganar terreno / hacer progresos

gain five per cent = ganar un cinco por ciento

gain access = ganar acceso

gain a friend = ganarse un amigo

gain a client = ganar un cliente

gain an enemy = ganarse un enemigo

TO EARN

To earn involves some kind of payment or compensation for an effort. It is quite similar to the other two verbs, but it highlights an effort.

The most common uses are:

earn money = ganar dinero earn a promotion = ganar un ascenso earn a degree = ganarse un título earn a living = ganarse la vida earn a reward = ganarse una recompensa earn a reputation = ganarse una reputación earn someone’s trust = ganarse la confianza de alguien

More Theory and Practice

So, if you want to practise what you have learnt today, or if you need further clarification....

On Idiomium, you can find:

- The whole grammatical lesson explained in Spanish.

- Exercises to practise what you have learnt (at the bottom of the page).

Hope you find this lesson helpful!

Best wishes,

Carla