attain + noun
Reach a goal or level
This is the most common structure.
The team attained victory in the final.
Attain: to or by?
Attain often appears without a preposition. Attain to is formal and means reach a level. Attain by usually introduces the method.
Quick answer
How to use attain
Use attain directly with goals or levels: attain success, attain a standard. “Attain to” is formal and less common. “Attain by” introduces means or method.
She attained success after years of work.
Few athletes attain to such excellence.
Few athletes attain to such excellence.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
attain to + level
Reach a high state or condition
This pattern is formal or literary.
He hoped to attain to wisdom.
attain by + method
Show how something is achieved
By introduces means or process.
They succeeded in goals attain by careful planning.
attain through + action
Alternative for method
Through is often more natural than by.
She attained recognition through hard work.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
attain + noun
She attained independence.
Standard direct-object pattern.
attain to
The scientist attained to international fame.
Formal expression meaning reach a level.
attain by
Results attained by training were impressive.
By introduces method or means.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Overusing attain to
Modern English often prefers attain without a preposition.
✕ He attained to his goal. ✓ He attained his goal.Using attain by as a fixed phrase
By usually introduces the method, not a selected preposition.
✕ She attained by success. ✓ She attained success.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. They attained ___ remarkable progress.
2. Few writers attain ___ lasting fame.
3. The results were attained ___ careful testing.
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Frequently asked questions
Is attain to old-fashioned?
It sounds formal or literary in many contexts.
Can attain be used without a preposition?
Yes. That is the most common pattern.
What does attain by mean?
By usually explains the method used to achieve something.
Related preposition guides
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