achieving something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieving something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing having success in doing something, or making a goal. For example: "Achieving a perfect score on the final exam was my goal for the semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Slowly, we are achieving something.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's been pride, ambition, achieving something.

The New York Times - Sports

You feel you are achieving something.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They've gotten that there's a thrill in achieving something.

The New York Times

But we are very close to achieving something special".

The Guardian - Sport

I felt as though I was really achieving something.

The Guardian

"I love getting on my bike; the feeling of achieving something every day.

BBC

In 1946 he came close to achieving something unheard-of in Lower Saxony: a balanced budget.

The Economist

But Mr. West could still transcend even his own self-consciousness, achieving something sublime.

The New York Times - Arts

But Sheikh Hamad has succeeded in achieving something that other petro-despots have not.

The Economist

And anyway, politics is supposed to be about achieving something more than your own re-election.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "achieving something" to convey a sense of accomplishment, progress, or success, especially when the specific outcome is less important than the overall feeling of advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "achieving something" for minor or insignificant actions. Reserve it for situations where genuine effort and progress are evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieving something" functions as a gerund or present participle, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. For example, "The feeling of "achieving something" every day" shows its usage as part of a noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "achieving something" is a versatile and frequently used expression that conveys a sense of accomplishment or progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears most often in news, lifestyle, and sports contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where genuine effort and progress are evident. Alternatives such as "accomplishing something" or "attaining a goal" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to express. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication and impactful writing. As evidenced by the provided examples in Ludwig, "achieving something" reflects a positive outcome that provides a sense of satisfaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accomplishing something

Focuses on the act of completing a task or goal.

attaining a goal

Highlights the specific target or objective reached.

realizing an ambition

Emphasizes fulfilling a long-term desire or aspiration.

fulfilling an objective

Stresses the completion of a pre-defined aim.

making progress

Implies forward movement and incremental achievement.

reaching a milestone

Indicates the completion of a significant stage in a process.

gaining ground

Suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve advancement.

scoring a victory

Highlights a win or success in a competitive context.

delivering results

Focuses on producing concrete and measurable outcomes.

making headway

Implies steady but perhaps slow progress toward a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "achieving something" in a sentence?

You can use "achieving something" to express a sense of accomplishment or progress, for instance, "It feels great to be "achieving something" after all this hard work."

What are some alternatives to "achieving something"?

Alternatives include "accomplishing something", "attaining a goal", or "realizing an ambition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "achieving something" or "to achieve something"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "achieving something" typically functions as a gerund or present participle, while "to achieve something" is an infinitive. The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example, "Achieving something requires effort" versus "I want to achieve something meaningful".

What's the difference between "achieving something" and "achieving everything"?

"Achieving something" refers to a specific accomplishment or a general sense of progress, while "achieving everything" implies reaching all possible goals or fulfilling all aspirations, which can be unrealistic. Consider the context to determine which phrase is more appropriate.