Understanding the Distinction between “Urn” and “Earn”

Understanding the Difference between “Urn” and “Earn”

What Do “Urn” and “Earn” Mean?

“Urn” and “earn” are two words that sound the same, but they mean different things.

“Urn”

An “urn” is a special type of container. People use it to hold the ashes of someone who has died. Long ago, the word “urn” came from the Latin word “urna,” which means a jar or vessel.

“Earn”

To “earn” means to get something because you worked for it. Maybe you earn money when you do a job, or you earn a prize when you do something good. The word “earn” comes from Old English, and it has been used for many, many years.

How to Use “Urn” and “Earn”

Using “Urn”

• The urn is on the shelf.
• She placed flowers next to the urn.
• They bought a new urn for their pet’s ashes.
• My grandmother’s ashes are in an urn.
• The urn was made of gold.

Using “Earn”

• I will earn money by doing chores.
• She worked hard to earn a medal.
• Children can earn points for good behavior.
• If you study, you will earn good grades.
• He needs to earn trust from his team.

Trick to Remember the Difference

An easy way to remember is to think about the letter “U” in “urn”. “Urn” starts with “U”, and urns usually hold ashes – something that is no longer alive. On the other hand, think of “earn” as getting something in return for hard work, which is more of an active thing.

Summary

The word “urn” is a special jar for ashes, and it comes from the Latin word for a jar. The word “earn” means to get something because you worked hard, and it comes from Old English. Remember, “urn” with a “U” holds ashes, and “earn” means getting something for your efforts.