fulfill

USAGE SUMMARY

'fulfill' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb to mean "to carry out or accomplish something, such as a promise, task, etc" or as a noun to mean "the action of doing something that was promised or requested". Example sentence: She fulfilled her duty as a public servant and worked hard to help the community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is however no reason to conclude that [Sutcliffe's] claim that he genuinely believed that he was acting under divine instructions to fulfill God's will carries any greater conviction now than it did when it was rejected by the jury," said Lord Judge.

The Guardian

It is the sad but lovely woman, trapped in an unhappy, arranged marriage, unable to fulfill her dreams, or even express herself, but just wants to talk in confidence about these problems, and finish with a general chitchat about girly things.

The Guardian

With the primary surplus gone, a default would no longer permit Tsipras to fulfill Syriza's campaign promises; on the contrary, it would imply even bigger cutbacks in wages, pensions, and public spending than the "troika" – the European commission, the European Central Bank, and the IMF – is now demanding.

The Guardian - Business

Will America fulfill its commitments and its promises?'" Mr. Hagel said.

The Guardian

Chicago police have yet to fulfill a freedom-of-information request on Zuley's personnel file, and detailed lists of questions sent Tuesday from the Guardian to Zuley's attorney and a Chicago police department spokesperson went unresponded.

The Guardian

In fact, from time to time when we see inconsistencies or inaccuracies in a request, we will refuse to fulfill it".

The Guardian - Tech

This creation exists to fulfill a corporate mandate – they want something bigger, louder, with more teeth.

The Guardian - Film

I've always been interested in the voting process, but now I'll play closer attention to see if the elected parties fulfill their promises.

The Guardian

His 1968 postscript to his 1965 essay on "repressive tolerance" will no doubt be the first to return to vogue.UNDER the conditions prevailing in this country, tolerance does not, and cannot, fulfill the civilizing function attributed to it by the liberal protagonists of democracy, namely, protection of dissent.

The Economist

I became convinced that if science and technology were better applied to the challenges of Africa, the tremendous potential of the continent would be unleashed, and people could be healthier and fulfill their promise.Since our first visit, many African countries have made striking advances, driven by wise government investments in health and education and agriculture.

The Economist

Soon, the rush of traffic outgrew Outgrow.me's servers and Mr Fellig had to upgrade his plumbing.Visitors also wanted him to fulfill their orders directly, rather than just refer them to producers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fulfill", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being completed, satisfied, or adhered to. For instance, specify "fulfill a promise", "fulfill a requirement", or "fulfill one's potential".

Common error

While "fulfill" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "do", "complete", or "meet" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fulfill" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being completed, satisfied, or achieved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies carrying out or accomplishing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fulfill" functions as a transitive verb denoting the completion or satisfaction of a duty, promise, or requirement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically sound choice, exhibiting frequent usage across diverse domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, "fulfill" trends towards a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure that the object of "fulfill" is explicitly stated to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives such as "carry out", "accomplish", or "satisfy" to diversify your vocabulary or adjust the tone to more informal contexts. While both "fulfill" and "fulfil" are correct, the single "l" variant is standard in American English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry out

Replaces "fulfill" with a focus on the execution or performance of a task or duty.

accomplish

Emphasizes the successful completion of something, often implying effort and skill.

complete

Highlights the act of bringing something to an end or finishing it entirely.

satisfy

Indicates meeting a requirement or expectation, often used in the context of needs or desires.

achieve

Focuses on the attainment of a specific goal or objective, suggesting success.

meet

Implies satisfying a condition or standard, often used in the context of obligations or requirements.

execute

Stresses the detailed implementation and performance of a plan or order.

discharge

Suggests the fulfillment of a duty or responsibility, often in a formal or official context.

adhere to

Emphasizes compliance with rules, standards, or agreements.

bring to fruition

Focuses on the successful development and completion of something, often over a period of time.

FAQs

How can I use "fulfill" in a sentence?

Use "fulfill" to indicate the completion of something promised or required. For example, "The company worked hard to "fulfill its obligations"" or "She managed to "fulfill her ambitions" despite the challenges.

What are some synonyms for "fulfill"?

Alternatives to "fulfill" include "carry out", "accomplish", "satisfy", "achieve", and "meet". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "fulfill" or "fulfil"?

"Fulfill" is the standard spelling in American English, while "fulfil" is more common in British English. Both are correct, but consistency within your writing is key.

What's the difference between "fulfill" and "achieve"?

While both relate to completion, "fulfill" often implies satisfying a duty, promise, or requirement, whereas "achieve" focuses on successfully reaching a specific goal or objective. For instance, you "fulfill a promise", but you "achieve a goal".