attain happiness

USAGE SUMMARY

'attain happiness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that someone has achieved a state of contentment or fulfillment, especially after a lengthy or difficult process. For example: After years of searching and striving, Liz was finally able to attain happiness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But he said that people could not attain happiness through prayer, and that "this happy life is not a religious concept". Happiness, he said, is a secular concept, so "our aim is secular". "I'm Buddhist," he said.

Los Angeles Times

The principles of resource allocation can help people attain happiness at home.

Harvard Business Review

The structure, he continued, needed to be "one in harmony with the natural elements so that we would attain happiness, good health and prosperity in all that we do, for the good of our children and generations to come".

The New York Times

Included in this theme are views concerning the supreme rulers who follow the founder, their qualifications, and how the community must be ordered so that its members attain happiness as citizens rather than isolated human beings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The oral induces a powerful yearning for money to bring happiness; the anal induces the subject to excrete money to attain happiness; and the displacing wow-factor causes the subject to dismiss as irrelevant to the pursuit of happiness anything that does not concern money.

The Guardian - Books

"A fallen angel with Mephistophelean wit," remarked Beatrice Webb, founder of the London School of Economics, adding, "He may be successful as a littérateur; I doubt whether he will be of value as a thinker, and I am pretty well certain he will not attain happiness".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

He attained happiness and a measure of tranquility with Sally, 53, his fourth wife.

The Guardian

Aristotle, however, argues that virtuous conduct is the governing factor in living well and attaining happiness.

Stanford University

By E. B. White The New Yorker, September 27 , 1930 P. 17Difficulty of attaining happiness in the hurried life of the city.

The New Yorker

According to Layard and Nettle, at least two forces prevent us from attaining happiness through material goods.

University of California, Berkeley

Witness the explosion of happiness studies, guides and manuals directed towards "attaining" happiness and manifold commercial exploits that specify "happiness" as a defining objective.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attain happiness" when you want to emphasize the effort or process involved in achieving a state of well-being, rather than simply experiencing it spontaneously.

Common error

Avoid using "attain happiness" in contexts where happiness is easily achieved or expected. The phrase implies a significant journey or struggle, so reserve it for situations where gaining happiness is a notable accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attain happiness" functions as a verb phrase where "attain" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object, which in this case is the noun "happiness". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various contexts, ranging from personal well-being to societal ideals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12.5%

Less common in

Wiki

6.25%

Formal & Business

6.25%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attain happiness" is grammatically correct and conveys the idea of achieving a state of well-being, often after effort or a journey. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, suggesting a broad range of applications from personal discussions to philosophical concepts. While alternatives like "find happiness" or "achieve happiness" exist, "attain happiness" emphasizes the process and effort involved in reaching a state of contentment. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure the implied effort aligns with the situation. Reserve its usage for situations where gaining happiness is a notable accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve a state of happiness

Replaces "attain" with "achieve" and slightly rephrases to emphasize the resulting state.

find happiness

Uses "find" to suggest discovering happiness, implying it already exists and needs to be located.

reach a state of well-being

Substitutes "happiness" with "well-being", broadening the concept to include other positive states.

experience contentment

Replaces "happiness" with "contentment", implying a quieter, more satisfied state.

realize joy

Uses "realize" to emphasize the active recognition of joy as a state of being.

secure a sense of happiness

Emphasizes the effort involved in obtaining happiness and making it secure.

cultivate happiness

Focuses on the gradual development and nurturing of happiness over time.

gain fulfillment

Shifts the focus from happiness to a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

procure happiness

Implies acquiring happiness, possibly through external means or effort.

garner happiness

Suggests collecting happiness from various sources or experiences.

FAQs

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

You can use "attain happiness" to describe the achievement of a state of well-being after a period of striving. For example: "After years of therapy, she was finally able to "attain happiness"".

What are some alternatives to "attain happiness"?

Alternatives include "find happiness", "achieve a state of happiness", or "experience contentment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Achieve happiness" and "attain happiness" are similar, but "attain happiness" often implies a more significant effort or journey. "Achieve happiness" might suggest a more straightforward accomplishment.

What's the difference between "seek happiness" and "attain happiness"?

"Seek happiness" describes the pursuit of happiness, while "attain happiness" describes the successful achievement of a state of well-being. You "seek happiness" with the goal to "attain happiness".