achieve greater things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieve greater things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing aspirations, goals, or accomplishments that are more significant than previous achievements. Example: "With hard work and dedication, we can achieve greater things in our careers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A few more months passed, and I could tell that my workout was having an effect: women would shout things at me on the street, like "Why are you holding two feathers?" and "I think the bird that the feathers came from is dead!" Although I was feeling healthier and in better shape than I ever had in my life, I knew I could achieve greater things, so I decided to experiment with lifting even more.

The New Yorker

"It wasn't quite the result we wanted, coming fourth, but it gives us more drive and fire to achieve greater things next season".

BBC

"Usually we use that saying with children, to encourage them to achieve greater things, but it seems that when it comes to Congress, it's what Wall Street keeps telling House Republicans".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I thought I could achieve great things.

The New York Times

This club will achieve great things".

The Guardian - Sport

"You can achieve great things when you don't listen".

The New York Times - Sports

We are Great Britain - we can achieve great things.

Independent

"Yes, they may achieve great things," Mr. Walker said.

The New York Times

If you do that you can achieve great things".

The Guardian - Sport

America can achieve great things if Kerry gets bold.

The Guardian - Opinion

Government, he said, allows too many people to be unaccountable, while individuals can achieve great things.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "achieve greater things" to inspire ambition and set high expectations in both personal and professional contexts. For example, when motivating a team or setting personal development goals.

Common error

Avoid using "achieve greater things" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and specific language might be preferred. Instead, opt for alternatives that clearly define the expected outcome or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve greater things" functions as a verb phrase expressing the potential for future accomplishments or surpassing current achievements. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase suggests aspiration and forward progress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "achieve greater things" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, frequently found in news and media, used to inspire and motivate towards future accomplishments. Ludwig AI identifies this as a correct expression. While not exceptionally common, it effectively conveys a sense of ambition and potential. Related alternatives include phrases like "accomplish more significant goals" or "attain superior results". When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone and level of formality. This phrase is found in diverse sources, including The New Yorker, BBC, and Huffington Post, reinforcing its broad applicability and recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accomplish more significant goals

Focuses on the completion of specific objectives with increased importance.

reach higher achievements

Emphasizes the attainment of elevated levels of success.

attain superior results

Highlights the obtaining of outcomes that are of a higher quality or standard.

make more significant progress

Underscores the advancement made towards a goal that is more impactful.

realize ambitious objectives

Stresses the bringing to reality of goals that are particularly challenging.

excel in more challenging endeavors

Highlights surpassing expectations in tasks that are difficult.

surpass previous accomplishments

Focuses on exceeding what has been achieved before.

outperform past achievements

Emphasizes doing better than previous accomplishments.

scale new heights

Uses a metaphorical expression indicating reaching significantly higher levels of success.

break new ground

Suggests innovating and achieving things that have not been done before.

FAQs

How can I use "achieve greater things" in a sentence?

You can use "achieve greater things" to express the possibility of future accomplishments, such as "With dedication, we can "achieve greater things" together".

What's a more formal way to say "achieve greater things"?

In formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "accomplish more significant goals" or "attain superior results" instead of "achieve greater things".

Is "achieve greater things" suitable for business writing?

Yes, "achieve greater things" is acceptable in business writing, particularly when inspiring teams or setting strategic goals. However, consider using more specific language if the context requires it.

What is the difference between "achieve great things" and "achieve greater things"?

"Achieve great things" is a more general statement about accomplishing something impressive, while "achieve greater things" implies surpassing previous accomplishments or expectations. Both phrases are correct, but their nuance differs.