attain by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attain by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the means or method through which something is achieved or reached. Example: "Success can be attained by hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

There's no reward for understanding it, no "woke" status to attain by empathizing with the wolf.

The New Yorker

I love the atmosphere and the feeling of belonging that you cannot truly attain by attending a big university.

The New York Times

The joy of marinades lies in the ease of their preparation combined with a rewarding depth of flavour which you can only attain by playing the long game.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"And it's like, 'What's the greatest level of craft we can attain by doing it DIY?' There's no reason it can't be [as] well-crafted as a Max Martin record or an Autechre record.

The Guardian - Music

West, however, though not a Folio owner himself, has by his scholarly labours on Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies managed to achieve a feat beyond the means of any Folger or Goldfinger, one which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to attain by mere purchase.

The Guardian - Books

At their best, the Coen brothers' movies affect the tone of legend and allegory; legend itself plays a significant role in their work (as in the opening sequence of "A Serious Man") and, for all their derisive and ribald glory, their films sometimes attain, by way of scripture by way of Kafka, an oracular philosophical authority.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Above all she craved fame, which she attained by undressing.

The Guardian - Music

Fertilization is attained by the ejection of sperm from antheridia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thoughtless being is attained by everyone, the return to thoughtless being by a very few.

The New Yorker

$1.5bn, as attained by The Avengers, Furious 7 and Jurassic World, is the new $1bn.

The Guardian - Film

Most notable is an overreaching attraction to glamour, attained by the simplest of means.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attain by", ensure that the method or means of attainment is clearly and directly linked to the achievement for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "attain by" when the relationship between the action and the result is indirect or unclear. Choose a more appropriate phrase that accurately reflects the connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attain by" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the means or method through which something is achieved or reached. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attain by" is a grammatically correct construction used to indicate the method by which something is achieved. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, noting its prevalence in formal contexts such as scientific and news articles. The phrase is less common than alternatives like "achieve through" but provides a precise means of specifying how a goal is reached. It is important to use this phrase when the link between the action and outcome is direct and clear, enhancing the overall clarity of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve through

Emphasizes the process or method used to reach a goal.

accomplish via

Highlights the means or channel through which something is done.

realize through

Suggests that something becomes a reality as a result of a particular action.

secure through

Implies obtaining something with a sense of effort or protection.

gain via

Focuses on what is acquired or benefited from using a certain method.

obtain through

Similar to achieve, but emphasizes getting or receiving something.

reach by means of

Focuses on the method used to get to a goal.

acquire through

Implies gradually gaining something over time.

win through

Suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve a result.

effectuate through

A more formal way of saying something is brought about by a particular action.

FAQs

How to use "attain by" in a sentence?

Use "attain by" to show that something is achieved through a specific action or method. For instance, "Success can be "attained by" hard work and dedication."

What can I say instead of "attain by"?

You can use alternatives like "achieve through", "accomplish via", or "gain through" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "attain by" or "attain through"?

"Attain by" specifies the exact method used, while "attain through" is a more general phrase to indicate that something is reached. Both are grammatically sound, and you should use the one that feels more appropriate in the context.

What's the difference between "attain by" and "achieve by"?

While both phrases are similar, "attain by" suggests reaching a high standard or goal, while "achieve by" can refer to reaching any objective.