Cool MateAccomplish vs Achieve vs Complete vs Fulfill vs Realize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accomplish
Achieve
Complete
Fulfill
Realize
| Accomplish | Achieve | Complete | Fulfill | Realize | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃ/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃt/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtʃiːv/","/əˈtʃiːvz/","/əˈtʃiːvd/","/əˈtʃiːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtʃiːv/","/əˈtʃiːvz/","/əˈtʃiːvd/","/əˈtʃiːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kəmˈpliːt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəmˈpliːt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //fʊlˈfɪl//🇺🇸 //fʊlˈfɪl// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːəlaɪz//ˈrɪəlaɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪz//ˈrɪəlaɪzɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzd//ˈrɪəlaɪzd/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ//ˈrɪəlaɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːəlaɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzd/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To successfully complete something. | To successfully reach a goal or complete something. | To finish something completely. | To do what is required or promised. | To understand something clearly. |
| Example | The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. | She worked hard to achieve her goals. | The puzzle is now complete after I found the last piece. | She worked hard to fulfill her dreams. | I didn't realize how important that meeting was until it was too late. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 | A1 | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | adjective | verb | |
| Collocations | successfully, easily | fail to, be able to, try to, fail to, be able to, try to | be, seem, survive, remarkably, very, far from, be, seem, almost, nearly, substantially | fulfill a dream, fulfill a promise, fulfill a requirement, fulfill one's duties | fully, dimly, suddenly, begin to, come to, make somebody, with, without realizing (something) |
| Antonyms | fail, neglect, abandon | fail, miss, lose | incomplete, unfinished, partial | neglect, disappoint, fail | ignore, overlook, miss |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'accomplished' which is an adjective., Using 'accomplish' without an object (e.g., saying 'I accomplish.' instead of 'I accomplish my goals.'). | Confused with 'complete' or 'accomplish', Using 'achieve' with non-count nouns incorrectly, Mistakenly using 'achieve' in informal settings | Confused with 'finished' — both mean to end, but 'complete' emphasizes fullness., Using 'complete' when a task is partially done., 'Complete' is sometimes incorrectly used as a noun. | Confused with 'fill' — remember they mean different things., Using it without an object is incorrect; you always need to say what you fulfill., Often misspelled as 'fulfil' without the second 'l' in American English. | Confusing 'realize' with 'realised' in British English., Using 'realize' without an object (e.g. 'I realized that' is correct)., Mixing up 'realize' with 'recognize'; they have different meanings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'accomplish' when referring to achieving goals or tasks, typically in a positive context. It may not be appropriate for casual or less formal situations where simpler words like 'do' might work better. | Use 'achieve' when talking about completing a goal or success in a task. It's appropriate in both personal and professional contexts, but avoid it in very casual conversations. | Use 'complete' in academic or professional contexts when discussing tasks, projects, or forms. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Used in formal and everyday contexts. It's appropriate when discussing commitments, expectations, or requirements. | Use 'realize' when you come to a new understanding or awareness of something. It's neutral and suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing where 'become aware of' might be preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Accomplish vs Achieve vs Complete vs Fulfill vs Realize
What's the difference between Accomplish, Achieve, Complete, Fulfill, and Realize?
Accomplish: To successfully complete something. Achieve: To successfully reach a goal or complete something. Complete: To finish something completely. Fulfill: To do what is required or promised. Realize: To understand something clearly.
Which is more advanced: Accomplish, Achieve, Complete, Fulfill, and Realize?
Accomplish is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Accomplish, Achieve, Complete, Fulfill, and Realize the same CEFR level?
Accomplish: B2, Achieve: A2, Complete: A1, Fulfill: B1, Realize: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Accomplish: The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. Achieve: She worked hard to achieve her goals. Complete: The puzzle is now complete after I found the last piece. Fulfill: She worked hard to fulfill her dreams. Realize: I didn't realize how important that meeting was until it was too late.
Can I use Accomplish, Achieve, Complete, Fulfill, and Realize interchangeably?
Not always. Accomplish, Achieve, Complete, Fulfill, and Realize are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.