was attained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was attained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was achieved or reached in the past. Example: "The goal was attained after months of hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

City status was attained in 1958.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Provincial status was attained in 1862.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The benchmark contract was attained by Danys Baez, a Cuban pitcher Cleveland signed in 1999.

The New York Times - Sports

Suddenly Gallipoli, unmitigated human catastrophe and strategic debacle that it was, attained a nation-defining status.

The Guardian

But the height of absurdity was attained with the claim that he was a great orator.

Independent

Ethylenediamine (EA) was attained from Aladdin.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Cleaning efficiency greater than 95% was attained.

Nanoscale Research Letters

High drug entrapment of 88% was attained.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

LOD of 6.6 pmol was attained.

Journal of Chromatography A

Equilibrium was attained after 10 min at 30 °C.

Applied Water Science

Agreement was attained for approximately 85% of the data.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "was achieved" or "was reached" for a more concise phrasing, depending on the context.

Common error

While "was attained" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct. If appropriate, rephrase to use active voice: "The team attained the goal" is more direct than "The goal was attained by the team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was attained" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject has reached or accomplished a specific goal, state, or level. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was attained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies the successful reaching or achieving of a goal, level, or state. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. While commonly found in scientific and academic writing, it also appears in news and media. When writing, remember to consider the potential for active voice alternatives to enhance directness. Being mindful of these nuances helps improve clarity and impact. You may want to check "was achieved", "was reached" and "was accomplished".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was achieved

Uses "achieved" which is a direct synonym, focusing on the successful completion or accomplishment.

was reached

Emphasizes the act of arriving at a specific point or level.

was accomplished

Highlights the completion of something, often implying effort and skill.

was realized

Focuses on something becoming a reality or being brought into existence.

was secured

Suggests that something was obtained through effort, often implying competition or risk.

was gained

Implies acquisition or obtaining something, often through gradual effort or process.

was obtained

A general term for getting something, without necessarily implying effort.

was fulfilled

Suggests the meeting of a requirement or expectation.

was procured

Implies obtaining something, often with a sense of difficulty or complexity.

was finalized

Emphasizes the completion of a process or arrangement.

FAQs

What does "was attained" mean?

"Was attained" means something was successfully achieved or reached, often after effort or time.

What can I say instead of "was attained"?

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

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying "was attained"?

While "was attained" is in the passive voice, using the active voice (e.g., "the team attained") can often make your writing more direct and engaging.

How formal is the phrase "was attained"?

"Was attained" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.