I attained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I attained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that you accomplished something, or reached a certain level. For example, "I attained my goal of graduating college with a 4.0 GPA."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Note that the steady state output S ^ i of allele i is the solution of (3) S i = σ ([ ∑ j I i, j Z j S j ] + k T i ) attained from these initial conditions.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

At my university I attained the Worcester Award for my extracurricular work.

The Guardian

Yet at school I attained the highest A-level arts grades in the country, so was awarded a scholarship to go to university.

The Guardian - Books

The last age, which I attained, possibly a bit late, in my mid-20s, has much in common with the first.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps my favourite thing about this game is the achievements: I attained the 'Tall Dark and Handsome' achievement for romancing a guy called Theo, and I managed to bed him in a graveyard winning me the Monster Mash award.

The Guardian - Tech

"You ask a tremendous question," he wrote, "one that I have thought about ever since I attained self-awareness around sophomore year of high school and one that has refused to yield its secrets.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

These stages are (i) attaining design standards, (ii) incremental innovations, and (iii) ushering radical innovation.

Technology in Society

It's when I attain that elusive thing called peace of mind.

The New York Times

Having achieved the joy of your friendship, I'd find it disappointing, as I find everything I attain.' AL Kennedy: initial impressions 1965 Born in Dundee.

The Guardian - Books

Moreover, his ethics, with its emphasis on self-esteem and self-knowledge appears in ways to be an individualistic one: the good, when I attain it, is a perfection of myself, not of society or the world.

SEP

May I attain companionship with you.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I attained" when you want to emphasize that you reached a specific goal or level, especially through effort or perseverance. For example, "I attained fluency in Spanish after years of study".

Common error

While "I attained" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I got" or "I reached" when speaking with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I attained" functions as a subject-verb construction, where "I" is the subject and "attained" is the verb. It expresses that the speaker has achieved or reached a certain level or goal. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as "I attained glory" or "I attained the physique".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Unknown/unmatched sources

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I attained" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the achievement of a goal or reaching a certain level. Ludwig's examples demonstrate that it is most common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, with a formal register. While grammatically correct, it may sound too formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I got" or "I reached" in informal settings. As highlighted by Ludwig, overuse in informal contexts could be perceived as pretentious, so choosing alternatives could be better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I achieved

Focuses on successful completion or accomplishment of a goal.

I accomplished

Stresses the successful completion of a task or project.

I obtained

Emphasizes the act of gaining or receiving something, often through effort.

I gained

Highlights the act of acquiring something, often intangible, such as knowledge or experience.

I reached

Suggests arriving at a specific point or level, often implying progress.

I realized

Emphasizes the achievement of a goal or ambition.

I secured

Highlights the act of gaining possession or control, often implying competition.

I fulfilled

Suggests completing a requirement or expectation.

I procured

Focuses on obtaining something, often through careful effort or planning.

I acquired

Focuses on gradually gaining or learning something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "I attained" in a sentence?

Use "I attained" to express that you achieved or gained something through effort. For example, "I attained a leadership position through hard work and dedication."

What can I say instead of "I attained"?

You can use alternatives like "I achieved", "I obtained", or "I reached" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I attained"?

It is appropriate to use "I attained" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the effort involved in achieving something. It's suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "I attained" formal?

Yes, "I attained" is generally considered a more formal way of saying "I got" or "I reached". It's more common in writing than in everyday speech.