attain a position

USAGE SUMMARY

"attain a position" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to achieve or reach a certain level or status in a profession, organization, or society. Example: After years of hard work and dedication, she finally attained a high-level management position in the company. Another example: Many people dream of attaining a political position, but only a few are willing to put in the effort to make it a reality.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Desperate to buy time for the new nation to attain a position from which to defy Old World powers, Washington wanted above all to stay out of Europe's murderous quarrels.

The New York Times

By the time that happened, says Mr. Hanson, "I had worked too long and hard to attain a position that would allow me to make movies I wanted to make" to let the burden of success derail him.

The New York Times

Basil the Great, however, by means of a special vow and a special ceremony, enabled monks to cease being just laymen and to attain a position between clergy and laity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

BLOOMBERG NEWS A Close Lookok at Facebook's Valuation  |  "To justify the lavish valuations being suggested, the company must attain a position across the Internet similar to the one Microsoft once held in personal computing," Robert Armstrong and Stuart Kirk write in The Financial Times.

The New York Times

By leveraging all the data they collect today, organizations attain a position of power: They learn from the data how to predict human behavior.

HuffPost

It is through giving birth to children and producing offspring to the clan that women slowly attain a position in the kinship group and in the community in general.

BMC Women's Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Before that, becoming an architect did not mean mastering a discipline but attaining a position.

The New York Times - Books

Also, my career goals include attaining a position in the C-suite.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While at the Gonzaga court, Mantegna attained a position of great respect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was not until 1869, with his appointment as professor at the École Normale, Paris, that he attained a position commensurate with his ability.

Britannica

To the south of the Fertile Crescent, the Sabaeans, a South Arabian people (also Semites, though South Semites), attained a position of wealth and importance as commercial intermediaries between the East and the Mediterranean.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attain a position", consider the nuance you want to convey. It often implies effort and progress over time to reach a specific goal. If you are looking for alternatives to this phrase and would like to convey the same nuance consider using phrases such as "secure a post" or "achieve a rank".

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice with "attain a position" when an active construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "A position was attained by her", use "She attained a position."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attain a position" functions as a verb phrase followed by an article and a noun, indicating the action of achieving or reaching a particular status or role. Ludwig AI confirms this use through various examples where "attain a position" signifies accomplishment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attain a position" is a grammatically correct and generally formal expression used to describe the action of successfully reaching a particular status or role. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, highlighting its versatility. While there are more casual alternatives like "get a position", using "attain a position" suggests a deliberate and effortful process. Overall, understanding when and how to use this phrase can enhance the precision and impact of your writing, conveying accomplishment and progress in a clear and purposeful manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secure a post

Focuses on the act of making a position secure or certain.

achieve a rank

Emphasizes reaching a specific level or grade in a hierarchy.

reach a level

Highlights the attainment of a particular stage or standard.

gain a foothold

Implies obtaining an initial, often precarious, position.

procure a placement

Formal term for getting a job or role.

land a spot

Informal, suggesting successfully getting a place in a competition or organization.

come into a station

Formal, focuses on entering a role or office.

ascend to a status

Describes rising to a higher level of recognition or importance.

garner a standing

Suggests gradually acquiring respect or reputation.

capture a chair

Focuses on winning or seizing a leading role, such as in academia.

FAQs

How can I use "attain a position" in a sentence?

You can use "attain a position" to describe someone successfully reaching a certain level or job. For example, "After years of dedication, she managed to "attain a position" of leadership within the company."

What are some alternatives to "attain a position"?

You can use alternatives like "secure a post", "achieve a rank", or "reach a level" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "attain a position" or "get a position"?

"Attain a position" is more formal and implies effort and progress, while "get a position" is more casual. The best choice depends on the tone you want to convey and the audience you are addressing.

What's the difference between "attain a position" and "maintain a position"?

"Attain a position" refers to the act of achieving or gaining a role, while "maintain a position" means to keep or hold onto a role that one already has.