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Preposition before noun

Prepositions with “achievement”

Achievement commonly takes different prepositions depending on meaning. “Achievement in” and “achievement of” are especially common.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with “achievement”?

Use “achievement in” for a field or activity, “achievement of” for something accomplished, and “achievement for” for the benefit or credit of someone. “Achievement on” is uncommon with this noun, while “achievement to” usually appears in phrases such as “an achievement to remember.”

Her achievement in science won national attention.
The achievement of the goal took years.
The award was a major achievement for the team.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
achievement in + field

Talking about success in an area

Use “achievement in” with subjects, professions, or activities.

achievement in medicine
His achievement in chess impressed the judges.
2
achievement of + goal

Talking about something accomplished

Use “achievement of” before goals, targets, or results.

achievement of independence
The achievement of higher standards required investment.
3
achievement for + person or group

Showing who benefits or receives credit

Use “achievement for” to describe success connected to a person or organisation.

This was a historic achievement for the company.
achievement for young researchers can open new opportunities.
4
achievement to + infinitive

Describing something worth doing or remembering

“Achievement to” is uncommon directly before a noun phrase but appears in structures with infinitives.

It was an achievement to celebrate.
That remains an achievement to admire.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
achievement in
Her achievement in engineering was recognised.
success within a field or activity
achievement of
The achievement of peace took decades.
the completion or gaining of something
achievement for
The medal was an achievement for the whole school.
success connected to or benefiting someone
achievement on
The report discussed achievements on the project.
Here “on the project” is an adjunct describing the topic, not a fixed combination with “achievement”.
achievement to
It was an achievement to finish on time.
used before an infinitive clause, not usually before a noun

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “achievement on” as a fixed pattern

“On” usually introduces a topic or project, not a standard complement of “achievement”.

✕ an achievement on mathematics ✓ an achievement in mathematics

Using “achievement to” before a noun

“Achievement to” normally connects to an infinitive clause.

✕ achievement to science ✓ achievement in science

Confusing “achievement of” and “achievement in”

Use “of” for the result achieved and “in” for the field.

✕ achievement in the target ✓ achievement of the target

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She received an award for her achievement ___ literature.
2. The achievement ___ the objective took months.
3. It was a major achievement ___ the community.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “achievement in” correct?

Yes. It is common for fields, subjects, and activities such as “achievement in sport”.

Can I say “achievement of”?

Yes. Use it for goals, results, or progress that has been accomplished.

Is “achievement on” natural?

Usually “on” introduces a separate topic, as in “achievements on the project,” rather than forming a fixed phrase with “achievement”.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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