What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
achieve
Example
She finally achieved her dream of becoming a doctor. [achieved: past tense]
Example
The team worked hard to achieve their sales targets for the quarter. [achieve: verb]
realize
Example
I didn't realize how much I missed my family until I moved away. [realized: past tense]
Example
The company was able to realize significant cost savings by implementing new technology. [realize: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Achieve is more commonly used than realize in formal or professional contexts, while realize is more commonly used in personal or emotional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between achieve and realize?
Achieve is generally considered more formal than realize, which has a more informal tone. However, both words can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context.
