Gain, Earn, Win and Get. What's the difference?

What is the difference between Gain, Earn, win and get? This is a good question and requires a bit of explanation regarding the shades of meaning between the words. They are very similar so I can understand why it is hard for learners to differentiate between them.

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Lets start with GAIN

Gain is when you acquire something as an increase or addition. So for example during the holidays I usually gain weight.

Could you say gain more money? No. You EARN more money. What does earn mean?

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Earn means to obtain or get something in return for ones personal efforts. So if I work harder I might earn more money. If I try to be kind to people I might earn their friendship.

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What about WIN? Can you win more money? You can. Imagine your win 1000€, and then the next day you win 1000€ more. You just won more money.

Win is usually associated with succeeding with a certain task or obtaining a physical prize for your efforts. It can also refer to victory.

If a soccer team beats another, they win (the other looses). If you play the lottery and you WIN, you receive the price. If you are in a competition (sports, war, games etc) and you are victorious, you win.

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GET is very complicated because usually it is in a phrasal verb form, but generally speaking get means to obtain or receive. I got a new car. I get sick when I am stressed. I get mail from Canada.

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Here are some more examples to try and help show you the difference:

GAIN
* The father gained custody of his child after the divorce.

* After Christmas I gained 7 pounds.

* Obama gained thousands of supporters in the final days of the election.

* My watch gains six minutes a day.

* He gained my respect after the meeting.


EARN

* I earn a living by teaching English.

* I earned more money when I lived in Madrid.

* I have earned a reputation as being helpful and honest.

* I would like to earn your respect.

* ING savings account earn a large amount of interest.

* His polite manner earned the respect of my parents.


GET

* I got some great gifts for Christmas.

* My parents get military pensions.

* I went to the doctor to get more information about allergies.

* I got the joke...but it wasn't funny (to get something: to understand something mentally).


WIN
* I won the race because I finished first.

* After spending 3 hours writing his application he won the scholarship.

* Spain beat Germany in the world cup and won the trophy.

* I scratched the playing card and won a new car.

* He won the respect of his peers after demonstrating his leadership skills during the crisis.

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- Diana :)

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