attain liberty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attain liberty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the achievement or acquisition of freedom or independence. Example: "After years of struggle, the nation finally managed to attain liberty from colonial rule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even if democracy wins out in Syria, I fear that later our inaction will bear heavily on the minds of those who have shed blood to attain liberty.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet even our ancestors had help in attaining liberty.

Huffington Post

It is wise to consider that just as attaining liberty does not ensure personal freedom, attaining equality will not ensure one accord between the sexes.

Huffington Post

As a monument to the accomplishments of an underdog that overcame the odds and attained liberty, it's been the stage for the demonstrations of struggling movements of all shades, from federal workers protesting budget cuts to 2011's Occupy movement.

Vice

The Dutch, under Director General Stuyvesant, successfully negotiated with the English to produce 24 articles of provisional transfer, which sought to retain for the extant citizens of New Netherland their previously attained liberties (including freedom of religion) under new colonial English rulers.

Wikipedia

So the Polish people, organized for collective action by Solidarity, the national federation of independent unions, have chosen to let the government remain in place, and to attain their liberties one by one through militant but peaceful social action that may be unique in political history.

The New Yorker

And Ben Franklin's "If we restrict liberty to attain security we lose them both".

Huffington Post

A survey by Le Figaro in November showed that 84% of French citizens were willing to accept more limits on their liberty in order to attain maximum security and safety, but how will fans from untouched nations react?

Forbes

Another much wiser man, Ben Franklin on the eve of the American Revolution, stated that a society willing to sacrifice liberty in order to attain security in the end will have neither.

Huffington Post

According to Herbert Butterfield, who coined the term "whiggish history" in 1931, a narrative emphasizing progress ignores the ways in which the "liberties" attained are farcical or unequally applied, revolutions have failed, or our most promising regimes have regressed resulting in "a story which is the ratification if not the glorification of the present" (Butterfield 1931, preface).

Columbia University

Under this substantive understanding, rules serve a higher purpose than the mere orderly regulation of human conduct; laws must also enhance liberty, security and equality and strive to attain a perfect balance between law and justice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attain liberty", consider the specific context. It often implies a deliberate effort or struggle to achieve freedom, which makes it suitable for discussions of historical movements, political struggles, or personal journeys towards liberation.

Common error

Avoid using "attain liberty" in contexts where simpler phrases like "achieve freedom" or "gain independence" would suffice. The phrase carries a slightly more formal tone, so ensure it fits the overall style and register of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attain liberty" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the act of achieving or gaining freedom. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and examples show its use in describing the successful acquisition of freedom.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attain liberty" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the successful achievement of freedom or independence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English, though not as common as alternatives like "achieve freedom" or "gain independence". Its usage leans towards more formal contexts, often found in news, media, and academic discussions. When employing this phrase, it's best to consider the specific context and ensure that its slightly elevated tone aligns with the overall style of your writing. While there may be several ways to express this, "attain liberty" carries a slightly more formal tone and is not interchangeable in every use case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve freedom

Focuses on the successful accomplishment of gaining freedom.

gain independence

Emphasizes the state of being self-governed and free from external control.

secure liberty

Highlights the act of making freedom safe and protected.

win freedom

Suggests a struggle or competition to obtain freedom.

obtain freedom

A more formal way of saying 'get freedom'.

acquire liberty

Similar to obtain, but slightly more formal.

reach freedom

Implies arriving at a state of freedom after a journey or process.

grasp liberty

Emphasizes the act of seizing or understanding freedom.

realize freedom

Focuses on making freedom a reality or bringing it into existence.

effect liberty

Highlights bringing liberty about or causing it to happen.

FAQs

What does "attain liberty" mean?

The phrase "attain liberty" means to successfully achieve or gain freedom. It suggests an active effort to secure freedom from some form of oppression or restriction.

What can I say instead of "attain liberty"?

You can use alternatives like "achieve freedom", "gain independence", or "secure liberty" depending on the context.

Is "attain liberty" formal or informal?

"Attain liberty" is considered more formal than simply saying "get freedom". It's suitable for academic writing, news reports, and discussions of historical or political significance.

How do you use "attain liberty" in a sentence?

Example: "After years of struggle, the nation finally managed to "attain liberty" from colonial rule."