achieve at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieve at" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a misuse of the verb "achieve," which typically does not require the preposition "at." Example: "I hope to achieve my goals this year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only then will our students achieve at the highest levels.

The New York Times

So very few achieve at a high level.

The New York Times

Most persons ultimately achieve at least a tolerable sexual adjustment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you achieve at a high level, then it's irrefutable and undeniable.

The New York Times

This delicious crisp pork, however, is one Chinese roast you can achieve at home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such a commission could achieve at least a degree of accountability for the past.

The New York Times

And so they achieve, at least in our imagination, what their more sensible sisters never did.

The Guardian - Books

Order is what elephants (that is, Frenchmen) achieve at a cost and with effort.

The New Yorker

He is massively ambitious to achieve at both club and international level," said O'Shea.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet Pond also highlighted a limit to what credit unions could achieve at their current scale.

The Guardian

"In terms of what I wanted to achieve at Elle, I felt I'd done it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "achieve at". Instead, use "achieve" followed by the object of your achievement, or replace it with a more appropriate alternative like "succeed in" or "attain".

Common error

A common mistake is adding the preposition "at" after "achieve" when it's not needed. For example, instead of writing "They want to achieve at excellence", write "They want to achieve excellence" or "They want to excel".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve at" functions as a verb followed by a preposition. However, according to Ludwig AI, this combination is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The verb "achieve" typically does not require the preposition "at".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "achieve at" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The verb "achieve" does not typically require the preposition "at". Therefore, it's recommended to use alternative phrases such as "succeed in", "attain", or simply use "achieve" followed by the object. This ensures grammatical correctness and enhances the clarity of your writing. Usage patterns indicate the phrase is most common in News & Media and Science contexts, but correctness should always be prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attain

A synonym for "achieve" that doesn't require the preposition "at", making it grammatically sound.

accomplish

Similar to "achieve", but often implies a greater degree of effort or planning.

succeed in

Replaces "achieve at" with a more grammatically standard construction focusing on successful attainment.

be successful in

A more verbose but grammatically correct way to express the concept of achieving a favorable outcome.

reach

Suggests arriving at a destination or goal, simpler in connotation than "achieve".

achieve success in

Emphasizes the positive outcome or accomplishment within a specific area.

excel in

Implies surpassing expectations and achieving a high level of performance.

thrive in

Suggests not just achieving but also flourishing and growing in a particular environment.

flourish in

Highlights thriving and developing well, often in a specific setting.

prosper in

Focuses on achieving wealth and success in a specific domain.

FAQs

Is "achieve at" grammatically correct?

No, "achieve at" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The verb "achieve" typically doesn't require the preposition "at". It's better to simply use "achieve" followed by the object you are achieving.

What can I say instead of "achieve at"?

You can use alternatives like "succeed in", "attain", "accomplish", or "reach" depending on the intended meaning and context.

How to use "achieve" correctly in a sentence?

Use "achieve" directly followed by the goal or objective. For example, "She wants to achieve her dreams" or "The company achieved record profits this year".

Which is correct, "achieve a goal" or "achieve at a goal"?

"Achieve a goal" is the correct phrasing. "Achieve at a goal" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.