Money doesn't grow on trees means that money is limited: you have to earn it and not waste it. Parents often say it when a child asks for something expensive, so it can sound a little preachy. The expression is informal; in an essay, put it neutrally: money is limited.
When would you say money doesn't grow on trees?
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Money doesn't grow on trees.; money doesn't grow on trees, you know
- When I asked for a new phone, my mum said, 'Money doesn't grow on trees.'
- We can't take a taxi every day. Money doesn't grow on trees, you know.
- Our manager turned down the request for new laptops, reminding us that money doesn't grow on trees.
What changed
First versionI can't buy you new trainers every month. Money don't grow on trees.
RevisionI can't buy you new trainers every month. Money doesn't grow on trees.
Money is uncountable in English, so it takes a singular verb: money is, money doesn't. Don't goes with plural subjects, so it is wrong here. Only don't was changed to doesn't.
The saying time is money has a different meaning: time is valuable and should not be wasted. Money doesn't grow on trees reminds you that money runs out and should be spent carefully. Compare: Hurry up, time is money! and Turn off the lights, money doesn't grow on trees.
Your turn
I can't lend you another £200 this month: ___, you know.
Show the answer
money doesn't grow on trees — The speaker refuses to lend money again because they do not have much and it takes work to earn. That is money doesn't grow on trees. Time is money is about the value of time and does not fit a refusal to lend money.
Think of a time when you decided not to buy something expensive, or someone refused to buy it for you. Write what the item was and explain the refusal with this phrase.
I really wanted the new tablet, but I decided to wait for the sales because money doesn't grow on trees.
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