Cool MateAchievement vs Attainment
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Achievement
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Attainment
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: AttainmentMost common: Achievement
| Achievement | Attainment | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtʃiːvmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtʃiːvmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əˈteɪnmənt//🇺🇸 //əˈteɪnmənt// |
| Meaning | Something you have done successfully. | Achieving a goal or something desired. |
| Example | Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team. | The attainment of a college degree opens many career opportunities. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | amazing, considerable, extraordinary, be, constitute, represent, achievement in, quite an achievement, high, individual, personal, level, standard, measure, gap, award, test, a feeling of achievement, a sense of achievement, a lack of achievement | academic attainment, social attainment, attainment goals, educational attainment, attainment levels |
| Antonyms | failure, defeat, setback | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'achievement' with 'accomplishment' when used in similar contexts., Using 'achievements' incorrectly as a verb instead of a noun., Not distinguishing between short-term and long-term achievements. | Confused with 'achievement' - attainment focuses on the process., Often used incorrectly as a verb - it's a noun., Misused in informal contexts - better for formal discussions. |
| Usage notes | Use 'achievement' in both formal and informal settings. It's suitable for discussions about school, career, or personal goals, but may not fit casual conversations about everyday events. | Commonly used in academic and professional contexts. Not suitable for casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Achievement vs Attainment
What's the difference between Achievement and Attainment?
Achievement: Something you have done successfully. Attainment: Achieving a goal or something desired.
Which is more formal: Achievement and Attainment?
Attainment is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Achievement and Attainment?
Achievement is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Achievement: Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team. Attainment: The attainment of a college degree opens many career opportunities.
Can I use Achievement and Attainment interchangeably?
Not always. Achievement and Attainment 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.