what was achieved

USAGE SUMMARY

"what was achieved" is correct and usable in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example: "The project was a success and we were proud of what was achieved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So we are building assessment routines that ask retrospectively not just what was achieved, but which achievements surprised us.

Huffington Post

Still, what was achieved in the aggregate was very significant.

The New Yorker

Three decades after the drug summit we can be grateful for what was achieved.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You have to look at what was achieved," Mr. Auerbach said.

The New York Times

"I hope this will interest a new generation in what was achieved.

The Guardian

There must be a public assessment of what was achieved in Afghanistan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dave Haslam: Breaking down social and musical barriers was an important part of what was achieved.

The Guardian - Music

Before it's all lost, it behoves us to celebrate what was achieved over the last year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are fearful of the consequences for the party of going back on what was achieved".

The Guardian

What was achieved instead was the diversion of public attention from the program's shortcomings.

The New York Times

For more details on what was achieved in Paris, read our Environment Editor Tom Bawden's report.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the effort involved, consider using alternatives like "what was attained".

Common error

Avoid using "what was achieved" in casual conversations; opt for simpler phrases like "what we did" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was achieved" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It allows the speaker to refer to a past accomplishment in a general sense, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what was achieved" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a noun clause, typically employed to objectively assess outcomes or accomplishments across various contexts. Ludwig highlights its prevalence in News & Media and Scientific publications. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings. Consider alternatives like "what was accomplished" or "the results obtained" to fine-tune the nuance and formality of your writing. Be mindful of overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what was accomplished

Replaces 'achieved' with 'accomplished', maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different nuance.

the outcomes achieved

Combines 'outcomes' with 'achieved' to emphasize the results.

what was attained

Substitutes 'achieved' with 'attained', emphasizing the effort involved in reaching a goal.

the accomplishments realized

Combines 'accomplishments' with 'realized' to highlight successful achievements.

what was realized

Replaces 'achieved' with 'realized', focusing on the manifestation of something planned or expected.

what was gained

Focuses on the benefits or advantages obtained.

what was secured

Emphasizes the effort to protect or obtain something.

the results obtained

Shifts focus from the action to the resulting outcomes.

the goals reached

Highlights the successful completion of objectives.

the progress made

Emphasizes the advancement or improvement that occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "what was achieved" in a sentence?

You can use "what was achieved" to refer to outcomes or accomplishments. For example, "The report details "what was achieved" during the project."

What's the difference between "what was achieved" and "what was accomplished"?

While similar, ""what was achieved"" and "what was accomplished" are often interchangeable. "Accomplished" may slightly emphasize the effort made, while "achieved" focuses on the result.

What can I say instead of "what was achieved" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the results obtained" or "the outcomes achieved".

Is it correct to say "what were achieved" instead of "what was achieved"?

No, "what was achieved" is singular because "what" refers to a singular, collective outcome. Use "what were achieved" if referring to multiple, distinct achievements.