Cool MateAttain vs Make it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Attain
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Make it
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Make it
| Attain | Make it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈteɪn/","/əˈteɪnz/","/əˈteɪnd/","/əˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈteɪn/","/əˈteɪnz/","/əˈteɪnd/","/əˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt// |
| Meaning | To achieve or reach something. | to succeed or achieve something |
| Example | Most of our students attained five ‘A’ grades in their exams. | I hope to make it to the top of the class this semester. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | attain success, attain a goal, attain knowledge, attain a level, attain proficiency | make it big, make it happen, make it to the top |
| Antonyms | lose, fail, miss | fail, lose, fall short |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Using it without context, e.g., 'make it' without saying what is made., Confusing with 'make sure' which has a different meaning., Incorrectly conjugating the phrase for different subjects. |
| Usage notes | Use 'attain' when talking about achieving goals or reaching a certain level. It sounds more formal than 'reach.' Not common in casual conversations. | Used to describe achieving a goal or reaching a destination. Common in both spoken and written English. Avoid in overly formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Attain vs Make it
What's the difference between Attain and Make it?
Attain: To achieve or reach something. Make it: to succeed or achieve something
Which is more common: Attain and Make it?
Make it is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Attain: Most of our students attained five ‘A’ grades in their exams. Make it: I hope to make it to the top of the class this semester.
Can I use Attain and Make it interchangeably?
Not always. Attain and Make it 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.