achievement

USAGE SUMMARY

"achievement" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something has accomplished something or obtained/reached a goal. Example sentence: His dedication and hard work was the basis for his achievement of becoming valedictorian of his graduating class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one can challenge what Simon achieved with the Wire: beyond even the hype, it remains an incredible achievement that forced issues about which no one was talking to the front and center of American public life and changed the way many people think about the so-called "war on drugs".

The Guardian - Opinion

For a European island outpost with a population of just 330,000, it was a fairly heroic achievement from which they hope to progress by qualifying for Euro 2016.

The Guardian - Sport

Weddings on the island are seven-day affairs where the entire village is fed many times, so paying for one's own at 25 years of age is an achievement.

The Guardian

They celebrated that achievement with the enthusiasm it deserved An important victory for Inter away to Parma, moving the Nerazzurri five points clear of Roberto Donadoni's team in fifth place.

The Guardian - Sport

Morricone has written hundreds of scores for cinema and television, and is one of the only film composers to have received an honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievement.

The Guardian - Music

While often cited as a landmark achievement, the Indian Person with Disability act actually makes no specific provision for disabled women and girls.

The Guardian

To those of us who have toiled, often fruitlessly, over the past years on this issue, it is a huge achievement brought about by John Kerry, with sheer dogged determination, and the two leaders, by taking risks with their public opinion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Between them, the Times and the Sunday Times have in fact managed to repeat the myth 40 times in total since 1998, an achievement only surpassed by the Daily Mail, which leads the field with 44 mentions.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think I have always underrated Myerson – this novel seems to me a great achievement.

The Guardian - Books

The report acknowledged that both programmes have benefited many young people in Uganda, especially those from poorer backgrounds, but added that "this achievement has been grossly watered down by the often inadequate, inefficient and ineffective response to inherent challenges".

The Guardian

The scale of this technological achievement is admirable, the logic behind it clear; but all this impressive architecture has been built without any political discussion about whether this is the right thing to do, or any endorsement from millions of members of the public, whose personal lives are now being recycled through giant databases.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "achievement" to emphasize a specific accomplishment, particularly one that required effort or skill. For instance, "Completing the marathon was a significant achievement."

Common error

Avoid using "achievement" when simply describing a task completion without notable effort or significance. Instead of saying "His achievement was finishing the report", consider "He finished the report", reserving "achievement" for more remarkable accomplishments.

Linguistic Context

The noun "achievement" primarily functions as a countable noun referring to a successful accomplishment resulting from effort or skill. It often appears as the subject or object of a verb, describing what someone has attained. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Film

8%

Opinion

8%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "achievement" is a versatile and frequently used noun that denotes a successful accomplishment, particularly one requiring effort or skill. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it serves to highlight successful outcomes and convey pride. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sport, and Lifestyle contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure proper usage, it's best to reserve "achievement" for accomplishments of notable effort or significance, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives such as "accomplishment" or "success" can be employed when a less emphatic term is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

successful accomplishment

Emphasizes the successful completion aspect of an achievement.

notable feat

Highlights the remarkable or extraordinary nature of an achievement.

significant accomplishment

Underscores the importance or impact of an achievement.

remarkable success

Focuses on the favorable outcome and positive result of an endeavor.

triumph

Suggests a victory or overcoming of obstacles in achieving something.

milestone

Implies a significant point in a process or journey, marking progress.

attainment

Highlights the act of gaining or reaching a goal.

breakthrough

Emphasizes a sudden advancement or discovery leading to an achievement.

fulfillment

Focuses on the satisfaction and sense of completion derived from an achievement.

positive outcome

Highlights result of the undertaking and not necessarily the undertaking itself

FAQs

How can I use "achievement" in a sentence?

You can use "achievement" to describe a successful accomplishment resulting from hard work or skill. For example, "Winning the award was a great achievement."

What are some alternatives to the word "achievement"?

Some alternatives to "achievement" include "accomplishment", "success", "feat", or "triumph", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "achievement" and "accomplishment"?

"Achievement" often implies a greater degree of difficulty or significance than "accomplishment". While both refer to successful completion, "achievement" suggests overcoming challenges.

Is it correct to say "a major achievement"?

Yes, it is correct to say "a major achievement". It emphasizes that the accomplishment is particularly significant or important. For example, "Securing the contract was a major achievement for the company."