they have attained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have attained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has achieved or reached a certain level, goal, or status. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, they have attained their dream of becoming professional musicians."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Theoretically, agnosticism is very different from atheism, for atheists and theists share the conviction that knowledge about such matters is attainable – and, indeed, that they have attained it while their opponents have failed to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Recently, though, they have attained a higher status.

The New Yorker

And now that they have attained the majority, they are not doing any better.

The New York Times

(O.K., mostly terrifying, but you have to grant that they have attained their purpose).

The New York Times - Magazine

It is only when organisations can internalise the reputational changes they have attained that their brand identity will be consolidated.

The Guardian

While the Knicks' success is indeed surprising, even more stunning is the method by which they have attained it.

The New York Times - Sports

Getty Podcasts have been around for a decade now, but in the past year they have attained a new degree of mainstream popularity.

The New Yorker

They have attained American citizenship, which they then passed on to their children, who as teenagers then followed their parents' path to the Bronx or Bakersfield, Calif.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They had attained academic, domestic, and social success — and they were always ready to capitalize on new opportunities that arose.

The New Yorker

Even though they had attained similar levels of success, leaders with different strength roles had very different approaches.

Harvard Business Review

Indeed, Mr. Shcharansky and others who stepped across the line from officially approved behavior often said they felt they had attained an intellectual freedom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have attained" to emphasize a significant achievement or the reaching of a notable status or level.

Common error

Avoid using "they had attained" when the context requires a present perfect tense; "they have attained" indicates a state reached in the past that continues to be relevant now.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have attained" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that a group has reached a particular state, level, or achievement. As Ludwig AI suggests, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they have attained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a group has successfully reached a certain level, status, or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate in various contexts, though it leans toward a more formal or neutral register. It is most prevalent in news, scientific, and academic writing. To ensure accurate usage, consider the intended emphasis and context when choosing this phrase over simpler alternatives like "they achieved" or "they reached".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have achieved

Replaces "attained" with "achieved", maintaining a similar meaning of accomplishment but focusing on the act of achieving.

they have reached

Substitutes "attained" with "reached", suggesting arrival at a specific point or level.

they have accomplished

Uses "accomplished" instead of "attained", highlighting the successful completion of something.

they have secured

Replaces "attained" with "secured", emphasizing the obtaining of something, often implying effort or competition.

they have gained

Uses "gained" instead of "attained", suggesting the acquisition of something, often knowledge or experience.

they have obtained

Replaces "attained" with "obtained", focusing on the act of getting or acquiring something.

they have realized

Substitutes "attained" with "realized", implying the fulfillment of a goal or ambition.

they have earned

Uses "earned" instead of "attained", suggesting that something was acquired through effort or merit.

they have acquired

Replaces "attained" with "acquired", focusing on the process of gaining possession of something.

they have met

Substitutes "attained" with "met", suggesting reaching a required standard or expectation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they have attained"?

You can use alternatives like "they have achieved", "they have reached", or "they have accomplished" depending on the context.

Is "they have attained" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they have attained" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate that someone has reached a certain level or goal.

How do I use "they have attained" in a sentence?

Use "they have attained" to describe a state or level that a group has reached. For example: "After years of dedication, they have attained a high level of proficiency."

What is the difference between "they have attained" and "they attained"?

"They have attained" (present perfect) suggests the achievement has a current relevance or impact. "They attained" (simple past) simply states that they reached that level at some point in the past, without necessarily implying ongoing relevance.