attain fame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attain fame" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the achievement of recognition or celebrity status in various contexts, such as entertainment, sports, or any field where public acknowledgment is possible. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she finally managed to attain fame as a talented actress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

By the time he dropped out of high school, he aspired to attain fame as an actor.

The New York Times

Her most recent novel, "How Should a Person Be?," is told from the perspective of Sheila, a young playwright eager to make art and attain fame, who is not to be confused with the author — at least not completely.

The New York Times - Books

As a result, many of the talking heads, including his brother Edward, claim Mapplethorpe became increasingly self-absorbed as he worked tirelessly to attain fame before he died of complications from HIV/Aids at 42 years old in 1989.

The Guardian - Film

They are driven to attain fame, with its constant stream of attention, flattery, and empowerment, because they need the steady trickle of adoring recognition to take the place of any kind of real self-love or self-respect.

Huffington Post

But O'Reilly doesn't say, "Attain fame and you will attain fortune" – he merely says that for most artists, fame itself is out of their grasp.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Scholars who later attained fame and Nobel Prizes also followed.

The New York Times

A considerable number of his pupils later attained fame as composers or musicologists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many men who later attained fame in the medical field received training there from him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He attained fame before withdrawing, in the last 30 years of his life, to a retreat outside the Norwegian capital.

The New Yorker

Mr. Handy settled on an estate in an exclusive section of Yonkers after he had attained fame.

The New York Times

He has attained fame for his pronouncements on the economy; his comment that the advertising recession at the start of the decade was "bath-shaped" was often repeated.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attain fame" when you want to emphasize the accomplishment of gaining a high level of public recognition, often through significant effort or talent.

Common error

Avoid using "attain fame" in casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "become famous" or "get well-known" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attain fame" functions as a verb phrase, where "attain" acts as a transitive verb taking "fame" as its direct object. According to Ludwig, it describes the action of achieving renown or widespread recognition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6.666666666666667%

Formal & Business

6.666666666666667%

Reference

6.666666666666667%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attain fame" correctly describes the achievement of widespread recognition and renown. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Although less common than simpler alternatives, it effectively communicates a deliberate or effortful process of gaining fame. It is most frequently used in news, media and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, it's best to reserve "attain fame" for situations where emphasizing accomplishment and effort is important, and to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn fame

Suggests that fame is a deserved reward for effort or talent.

acquire celebrity

Highlights the acquisition of a celebrity status.

win renown

Highlights gaining a widespread reputation for excellence.

achieve recognition

Focuses on gaining acknowledgement rather than widespread celebrity.

secure recognition

Implies a sense of stability and firmly established fame.

reach stardom

Specifically refers to achieving the status of a star, typically in entertainment.

rise to prominence

Focuses on the process of becoming well known or important.

gain prominence

Implies rising to a position of importance or distinction.

garner acclaim

Emphasizes receiving positive feedback and praise.

become well-known

A more general phrase indicating widespread familiarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "attain fame" to describe the process of becoming well-known or celebrated, such as "The musician worked tirelessly to "attain fame" through his music".

What is a good alternative to "attain fame"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "achieve recognition", "gain prominence", or "acquire celebrity".

Is it better to say "attain fame" or "achieve fame"?

Both "attain fame" and "achieve fame" are correct. "Attain" may suggest a more deliberate or effortful process, but the difference is subtle.

What does "attain fame" imply?

"Attain fame" suggests that fame is something that is achieved through effort, skill, or circumstance, rather than something that simply happens by chance. The phrase suggests a significant accomplishment.