to attain knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to attain knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining or acquiring understanding or information on a particular subject. Example: "Many students strive to attain knowledge in their chosen fields to enhance their career prospects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"To attain knowledge, add things every day.

The New York Times

Through self-knowledge, the devout mystic strives to attain knowledge of God Himself.

The Economist

This trend in turn produced a growing distrust of the power of human beings to attain knowledge of the ultimate basis of natural phenomena.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The success of Newton, in particular, in capturing in a few mathematical equations the laws that govern the motions of the planets, gave great impetus to a growing faith in the human capacity to attain knowledge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike Descartes, who proposes an intellectualist path to attain knowledge of the internal cogito, Scudéry insists on the moral requirements for authentic disclosure of the self.

SEP

The aim was to gather information regarding what students consider important for their motivation to attain knowledge, in order to shape courses that foster this motivation.

Nurse Education Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This refers to attaining knowledge of the definitions and explanations of the meaning of concepts and categories in each coding system on a higher level than category text and description; for example, examining parent and child concepts related to a concept in SNOMED CT and also examining all ICD-categories connected to a KSH97-P category.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Strive not to just attain knowledge but to advance it.

Huffington Post

"The way you attain knowledge," Hester once observed, in what amounted to his credo, "is to go to college, get an education, start an argument, take either side, and then put your money in".

The New York Times - Sports

It is perfectly true that we can never attain knowledge of things as they are.

SEP

What does this mean for us and how we attain knowledge?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to attain knowledge" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and effortful process of gaining understanding or information. This phrase is particularly suitable in formal or academic contexts.

Common error

While "to attain knowledge" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing formal vocabulary in informal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "to gain knowledge" or "to learn" may be more appropriate for casual conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to attain knowledge" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically follows a verb indicating an action taken in order to gain understanding or information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to attain knowledge" is a grammatically correct and relatively formal way to express the purpose of gaining understanding or information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears in various contexts, it is most frequently used in scientific and academic writing. Simpler alternatives like "to gain knowledge" or "to learn" may be more suitable for informal situations. When using "to attain knowledge", emphasize a deliberate and effortful pursuit of understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to acquire knowledge

Uses "acquire" instead of "attain", suggesting a more active process of gaining knowledge.

to gain knowledge

Employs "gain" as a simpler and more direct synonym for "attain".

to obtain knowledge

Replaces "attain" with "obtain", indicating a formal acquisition of knowledge.

to secure knowledge

Substitutes "attain" with "secure", emphasizing the effort involved in obtaining knowledge.

to achieve knowledge

Uses "achieve" instead of "attain", highlighting the accomplishment of gaining knowledge.

to realize knowledge

Replaces "attain" with "realize", focusing on the understanding and comprehension aspect of knowledge.

to develop understanding

Shifts the focus from acquiring facts to developing a deeper comprehension.

to cultivate learning

Emphasizes the gradual and nurturing process of acquiring knowledge and skills.

to foster intellect

Focuses on nurturing and developing intellectual abilities and knowledge.

to expand one's horizons

Implies broadening one's knowledge and perspective through learning and experience.

FAQs

What does "to attain knowledge" mean?

The phrase "to attain knowledge" means to successfully gain, acquire, or achieve understanding and information about a particular subject through study, experience, or effort.

How can I use "to attain knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "to attain knowledge" in a sentence to describe the process of gaining understanding. For example, "Many students strive to attain knowledge in their chosen fields to enhance their career prospects."

What are some alternatives to "to attain knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "to gain knowledge", "to acquire knowledge", or "to obtain knowledge" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to attain knowledge" formal or informal?

"To attain knowledge" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "to learn" or "to find out" might be more suitable.