Cool MateAccomplish vs Attain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accomplish
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Attain
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Accomplish
| Accomplish | Attain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃ/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃt/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈteɪn/","/əˈteɪnz/","/əˈteɪnd/","/əˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈteɪn/","/əˈteɪnz/","/əˈteɪnd/","/əˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To successfully complete something. | To achieve or reach something. |
| Example | The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. | Most of our students attained five ‘A’ grades in their exams. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | successfully, easily | attain success, attain a goal, attain knowledge, attain a level, attain proficiency |
| Antonyms | fail, neglect, abandon | lose, fail, 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 'obtain' — 'attain' implies reaching a goal., Using 'attain' without specifying what is being attained., Incorrect verb form, e.g., using 'attained' when the context requires the base form. |
| 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 'attain' when talking about achieving goals or reaching a certain level. It sounds more formal than 'reach.' Not common in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accomplish vs Attain
What's the difference between Accomplish and Attain?
Accomplish: To successfully complete something. Attain: To achieve or reach something.
Which is more common: Accomplish and Attain?
Accomplish is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Accomplish and Attain?
Attain is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Accomplish and Attain the same CEFR level?
Accomplish: B2, Attain: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Accomplish and Attain?
Accomplish: verb, Attain: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Accomplish: The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. Attain: Most of our students attained five ‘A’ grades in their exams.
Can I use Accomplish and Attain interchangeably?
Not always. Accomplish and Attain 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.