were attained

USAGE SUMMARY

"were attained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about achieving a goal or objective. For example, "The student's ambitious academic goals were attained by the end of the school year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Altitudes as high as 20,000 feet were attained.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"From that point on, the numbers were attained through using (performance-enhancing drugs).

The New York Times - Sports

Currently, I have six credit cards, three of which were attained in the last two years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Important advances, permissions wordlessly granted to extend what he was allowed to see or caress, were attained only gradually.

The New Yorker

Speeds of up to 60 miles (96.6 km) per hour were attained.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Remarkable recovery, repeatability and reproducibility were attained.

Journal of Chromatography A

Last year, documents for a standalone Facebook mobile photo sharing app were attained by TechCrunch.

TechCrunch

The maximum readings were attained at pH values of 8.5.

Chemistry Central Journal

The indium nanoparticle catalysts were attained after hydrogen plasma treatment.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Some interesting findings were attained in the study.

Physica B: Condensed Matter

Thus, the requested specifications to perform animal experiments were attained.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were attained" to emphasize the successful reaching of a specific goal, level, or condition, particularly when effort or progress is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "were attained" in simple sentences where a more direct verb like "reached" or "achieved" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were attained" functions as the passive voice form of the verb "attain", indicating that a goal, objective, or condition has been successfully reached or achieved. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were attained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that a goal, level, or condition has been successfully reached. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and formal contexts, it conveys that something was successfully achieved, often through effort or progress. While interchangeable with alternatives like "were achieved" or "were reached", "were attained" carries a slightly more formal tone. It is essential to use it correctly with plural subjects and to avoid overuse in simple sentences. The phrase is very common across various reputable sources, including ScienceDirect and PlosOne.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were achieved

Synonymous; indicates accomplishment, but "achieved" emphasizes the act of reaching a goal through effort.

were obtained

Implies acquiring something through a process or request.

were accomplished

Focuses on the successful completion of a task or objective.

were reached

Indicates arrival at a specific point or level, often used for quantifiable measures.

were realized

Emphasizes the manifestation or materialization of something planned or desired.

were gained

Suggests acquiring something, often an advantage or benefit.

were secured

Implies obtaining something, often with effort or competition involved.

were fulfilled

Emphasizes that requirements, conditions, or expectations have been satisfied.

were procured

Formally denotes the acquisition of something, frequently through purchase or effort.

were brought about

Suggests that something was caused or made to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "were attained" in a sentence?

Use "were attained" to indicate that a specific goal, level, or condition has been successfully reached. For example, "The research goals "were attained" through rigorous experimentation".

What are some alternatives to "were attained"?

Some alternatives include "were achieved", "were reached", or "were accomplished", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was attained" instead of "were attained"?

No, "was attained" should be used with singular subjects, while "were attained" is for plural subjects. For example, "The goal was attained", but "The goals "were attained"".

What is the difference between "were attained" and "were obtained"?

"Were attained" generally implies reaching a specific goal or level through effort or progress. "Were obtained" suggests acquiring or receiving something, which may or may not involve effort. For example, "High scores "were attained" through hard work," but "The samples "were obtained" from the lab".