Earnt vs. Earned — What's the Difference?

The verb "earn" refers to receiving something in return for labor, service, or achievement, such as earning money for work done or earning respect through honorable actions. The past tense of "earn" is most commonly "earned," which is universally recognized and used in both American and British English to denote something that was gained or received in the past.

"Earnt," on the other hand, is an irregular past tense form of "earn" that appears predominantly in informal contexts and is more prevalent in British English. While "earnt" is understood and occasionally used, it is considered non-standard and is less commonly found in formal writing or official documentation. For example, one might informally say, "He earnt a good wage last month," but in a more formal or written context, "He earned a good wage last month" would be preferable.

The preference for "earned" over "earnt" in most contexts reflects a broader tendency in English towards regular verb forms, especially in American English. However, regional dialects, personal preference, and informal speech can influence the choice of past tense forms, leading to the continued use of variants like "earnt."

Despite the differences, both "earnt" and "earned" convey the same meaning, and the choice between them often depends on the formality of the setting, the intended audience, and regional linguistic norms. In formal writing, educational settings, and international contexts, "earned" is the advisable form to use.

"Earned" is the standard and widely accepted past tense of "earn", while "earnt" persists as an informal variant, particularly within certain dialects of British English, though its usage is comparatively limited.