Cool MateAccomplish vs Complete
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accomplish
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Complete
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
| Accomplish | Complete | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃ/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃt/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kəmˈpliːt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəmˈpliːt/"]/ |
| Meaning | To successfully complete something. | To finish something completely. |
| Example | The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. | The puzzle is now complete after I found the last piece. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | adjective |
| Collocations | successfully, easily | be, seem, survive, remarkably, very, far from, be, seem, almost, nearly, substantially |
| Antonyms | fail, neglect, abandon | incomplete, unfinished, partial |
| 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 '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. |
| 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 'complete' in academic or professional contexts when discussing tasks, projects, or forms. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Accomplish vs Complete
What's the difference between Accomplish and Complete?
Accomplish: To successfully complete something. Complete: To finish something completely.
Are Accomplish and Complete the same CEFR level?
Accomplish: B2, Complete: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Accomplish and Complete interchangeably?
Not always. Accomplish and Complete 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.