achieve in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieve in" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition would be "achieve" followed by a direct object or "achieve at" in some contexts. Example: "She hopes to achieve success in her career."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not easy to achieve in 38 pages.

The Guardian - Books

Levinson concluded, with admiration, that the Guugu Yimithirr speakers achieve "in software what pigeons apparently achieve in hardware".

The New Yorker

This is easy to achieve in, say, a flight simulator.

The Economist

"What can you achieve in the street?

The New York Times

What could he achieve in 2012?

The Guardian - Sport

What could mediation achieve in this matter?

The New Yorker

What do you want to achieve in your career?

The Guardian

He has achieved more than most achieve in three lifetimes.

The Guardian - Music

Just imagine what we can achieve in government.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that's not something you can achieve in five minutes.

The New York Times - Arts

What do you want to achieve in life?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, replace "achieve in" with stronger alternatives like "succeed in" or "accomplish in". For example, instead of "What can you achieve in the street?", consider "What can you succeed in doing on the street?".

Common error

Avoid unnecessary prepositional phrases. Instead of "What do you want to achieve in life?", opt for the more concise and direct: "What do you want to achieve?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve in" functions as a verb followed by a preposition. Ludwig AI data suggests it is often used where a direct object after "achieve" or a different preposition, such as "at", would be more grammatically correct. The intended function is typically to express accomplishment within a specific domain or context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "achieve in" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI data indicates it's often grammatically incorrect. The primary issue lies in the unnecessary use of the preposition "in" after "achieve". It's generally recommended to use "achieve" followed by a direct object or explore alternative phrases like "succeed in", "excel in", or "accomplish in" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its common occurrence, aiming for greater precision will enhance the quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeed in

This alternative focuses on the successful outcome of an action or endeavor.

accomplish in

This suggests completing something successfully within a particular context or area.

attain in

Implies reaching a specific goal or level within a defined domain.

realize in

This highlights the manifestation or bringing into reality of something within a certain field.

fulfill in

This emphasizes the satisfaction of a requirement or expectation in a given situation.

complete in

This focuses on finishing a task or process within a specific timeframe or location.

excel in

This highlights performing exceptionally well in a specific area or activity.

flourish in

This suggests thriving and developing successfully within a particular environment.

prosper in

This emphasizes achieving wealth or success in a particular field or industry.

triumph in

This highlights overcoming challenges and achieving victory in a specific situation.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "achieve in" in my writing?

In most cases, you can simply drop the "in" after "achieve". For example, instead of "achieve in life", say "achieve success". Alternatively, you can use the phrase "succeed in" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing).

When is it appropriate to use "achieve in"?

While "achieve in" is commonly found, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives such as "succeed in", "excel in", or "accomplish" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "achieve" and "succeed"?

"Achieve" refers to successfully reaching a desired aim or result, while "succeed" implies accomplishing a goal, often after overcoming obstacles. You can "achieve a goal", or "succeed in reaching a goal".

What can I say instead of "What do you want to achieve in life?"

You can rephrase it as "What do you want to "accomplish in life"?", "What do you want to "achieve"?", or "What do you hope to "attain in life"?".