WHICH WORD?

to win ... to earn

EFP: which word? to win
You win games!
to win

Be 1st in a competition such as a tennis match or track and field event.  Think "game".
EFP which word? to earn
You earn money.
to earn

Think "work to get money" or "study to get a diploma."   You have to sweat!  
PROBLEM:

  • You say:  "Can you win a lot of money working in China?"     <- WRONG

  • You should say: "Can you earn (make) a lot of money working in China?"

  • You win a game or contest.

  • You earn money.
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  • When speaking of money use “to earn or to make”

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EXAMPLES:  to earn



  1. How much you earn usually depends on your experience and education.
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  2. He earned a lot of money working in the oil fields in Brazil.
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  3. English teachers working at an English school won't earn a lot.
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  4. It isn’t easy to earn a good living in Brazil.
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EXAMPLES:  to win



  1. Who won the football match last night?   Santos or São Paulo?
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  2. If you win the poker game, you buy the beer!
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  3. He goes to Las Vegas every year, but has never won a lot of money.  In fact, he has lost a lot of money.

  4. He will win a good salary working in IT in Banglahore.  <-- WRONG
NOTE:  “to make” money is also widely used.  
  • “He doesn’t make much money working at McDonalds.”
  • How much did you make last year?      Just over US$ 45,000​.