Confusing Words: Attain (verb) and Obtain (verb)
Meaning:
Attain (succeed in achieving (something that one has worked for).
Obtain (get, acquire, or secure (something).)
Attain vs Obtain Clarification: Attain and obtain are used as verbs within sentences.
Attain vs Obtain – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
These words are two-letters apart. They are quite similar in terms of their meanings. Even, some people think that attain and obtain are interchangeable. This is wrong because you cannot think that these words are same in meanings. You should be careful in word choice in order to avoid errors in texts.
I will define each term with examples that will clear up all the confusions regarding attain and obtain.
Attain
Attain is used as a verb within sentences. Attain means to earn, win, acquire, achieve or accomplish something. You attain something through hard word and effort.
1. You should work hard to attain higher grades in final exams.
2. After several days of training, I attained the top rank that I desired the most.
3. Anything you really want, you can attain, if you really go after it. (Wayne Dyer)
Obtain
Obtain is also used as a verb within a sentence. Obtain is related to the things. Generally, it means that you only obtain physical things. However, obtain means to get something. Unlike attain, you do not have to make any effort to obtain something.
1. My friends were very excited to obtain the live concert’s entry tickets.
2. I obtained my most favourite novel from a nearby book shop.
3. Good people obtain pure joy not because they do great things but, because they do small acts of kindness with great love and with caring heart. (Unknown)
Got the Difference?
From the above discussion, it is clear that both attain and obtain are very similar in term of meanings. In fact, there is a minor difference to keep them apart. To attain is to achieve something with determination, hard work or effort.
To obtain, however, is to get something and you do not have to make so much efforts to obtain anything. For instance, you can obtain your favourite coloured dress from a super market. If you cannot afford to fulfill your desire and you are working so hard to make your lifstyle better. Then, after much hard work, you finally attain the things you desired for.
Attain = to win or to achieve through effort
Obtain = to get without much effort
What Did You Learn?
Attain and obtain are used as verbs within sentences. You cannot use these words interchangeably as they are slightly different in meanings. Attain means to earn or to achieve something through effort whereas, obtain means to get something without any hard work.