What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
attain
Example
She worked hard to attain her dream of becoming a doctor. [attain: verb]
Example
He attained a high level of proficiency in playing the piano. [attained: past tense]
gain
Example
He gained a lot of money from his successful business venture. [gain: verb]
Example
She made significant gains in her language skills after studying abroad. [gains: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gain is more commonly used than attain in everyday language. Gain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while attain is less common and tends to be used in more formal or aspirational settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between attain and gain?
While attain is typically associated with a more formal tone, gain can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
