Achieve vs. Attain vs. Accomplish
All these verbs are concerned with reaching a goal, but they emphasize different aspects of reaching a goal. Follow the lesson to find out more about them.
These verbs all refer to reaching a goal or succeeding in doing something through effort. However, while 'achieve' emphasizes reaching a goal, 'attain' is concerned with reaching a specific level or position and 'accomplish' focuses of completing a task. This lesson will further clarify the difference between these three verbs.
Difference in Emphasis
'Achieve' refers to successfully reaching a personal goal, objective, or outcome through effort or determination. It emphasizes the act of overcoming obstacles or challenges to reach a final result. 'Attain' is similar to 'achieve', but it emphasizes the acquisition of a desired state, position, or level where there may still be room for progress or where the goal is to reach even higher levels. It is concerned with gaining or reaching something that is considered desirable or valuable through growth and development. 'Accomplish', on the other hand, refers to successfully completing or carrying out a task, assignment, or objective. It emphasizes the sense of fulfillment of specific responsibilities, assignments, or milestones. Here are some examples:
She worked hard to
He
After years of hard work, she
He studied diligently to
The team
They worked together to