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Win, Gain, Earn: How to Avoid Common Mistakes in English

James Batchelor

If you’re a French speaker learning English, you’ve probably noticed that the word "gagner" in French can be translated in multiple ways: win, gain, earn—but they are not interchangeable! 🤯


Many learners mix them up, saying things like "I gained the match" (❌) instead of "I won the match" (✅). So, how do you choose the right verb? Let’s break it down!


A person in a white and orange shirt raises arms in triumph, smiling against a stylized cityscape at sunset, evoking a joyful mood.


"Win" – For Competitions, Contests, and Games 🏆

👉 Use win when talking about victories, competitions, and arguments.It refers to situations where someone defeats another person or succeeds in a contest.


She won the race. (Elle a gagné la course.)

Our team won the championship! (Notre équipe a gagné le championnat !)

He won the argument. (Il a gagné la dispute.)


🚨 Common mistake: "She gained the race." "She won the race."

📌

French comparison: "Win" = gagner (un concours, une compétition).


"Earn" – For Money, Work, and Recognition 💰

👉 Use earn when talking about money, salary, respect, or something you get through effort.If you work hard for it, you earn it!

She earns a good salary. (Elle gagne un bon salaire.)

He earned a promotion after years of hard work. (Il a obtenu une promotion après des années d'efforts.)

She earned the respect of her colleagues. (Elle a gagné le respect de ses collègues.)


🚨 Common mistake: "I won €2,000 at my job." (Only in a contest!) ✅ "I earned €2,000 this month."


📌 French comparison: "Earn" = gagner de l’argent, obtenir une récompense.


"Gain" – For Gradual Increases and Acquisitions 📈

👉 Use gain when talking about increases (weight, speed, knowledge, experience, confidence, or benefits).


He gained experience during his internship. (Il a acquis de l’expérience pendant son stage.)

She gained weight over the holidays. (Elle a pris du poids pendant les vacances.)

I gained confidence after taking an English course in Vincennes!  (J’ai gagné en confiance après avoir suivi un cours d’anglais à Vincennes !)


🚨 Common mistake: "He won experience during his internship." "He gained experience during his internship."


📌 French comparison: "Gain" = acquérir, obtenir, prendre (du poids, du temps, etc.).


Quick Recap: Which One to Use?

Situation

Correct Verb

Example

French Equivalent

Competitions, games, arguments

Win 🏆

He won the lottery.

gagner (un concours, un match)

Salary, money, respect

Earn 💰

She earns €3,000 per month.

gagner (de l’argent, une récompense)

Experience, knowledge, weight

Gain 📈

I gained new skills at work.

acquérir, obtenir

🔹 Tip: If you're talking about money or professional success, use earn. If you're talking about a competition, use win. If you're talking about an increase (skills, weight, time), use gain.


Now that you know the difference between win, earn, and gain, you’re on your way to mastering English!


Question for you: Have you ever used the wrong verb? Share your funny mistakes in the comments! 😆👇


Test Yourself! 📝

Fill in the blanks with win, earn, or gain:

  1. He _______ the gold medal in the Olympics.

  2. She _______ a lot of experience in her new job.

  3. I _______ $500 from my freelance work last month.

  4. They _______ confidence after practicing public speaking.

  5. Our team _______ the debate competition.

  6. He _______ first place in the chess tournament.

  7. She _______ a reputation as a hard-working professional.

  8. We _______ new customers after launching our online store.

  9. She _______ the argument with a strong final point.

  10. You _______ fluency when you practice every day!


Spot the Mistakes! 🚨

Below are five incorrect sentences. Find the mistake and rewrite the sentence correctly!

  1. She won a lot of experience working abroad.✅ __________________________________________________

  2. I gained €3,000 last month from my job.✅ __________________________________________________

  3. He earned the tennis championship.✅ __________________________________________________

  4. She won confidence after practicing public speaking.✅ __________________________________________________

  5. They gained the lottery last weekend!✅ __________________________________________________


Answers to activity 1, "Test Yourself": 1. won 2. gained 3. earned 4. gained 5. won 6. won 7. earned 8. gained 9. won 10. gain


Answers for "Spot the Mistakes! 🚨"

  1. ✅ She gained a lot of experience working abroad.

  2. ✅ I earned €3,000 last month from my job.

  3. ✅ He won the tennis championship.

  4. ✅ She gained confidence after practicing public speaking.

  5. ✅ They won the lottery last weekend!



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