Achievement vs Completion: When To Use Each One In Writing

Have you ever wondered about the difference between achievement and completion? These two words may sound similar, but they have distinct meanings. In this article, we will explore the nuances of these terms and discuss why understanding the difference is crucial.

Let’s define what we mean by achievement and completion. Achievement refers to the process of accomplishing something significant or noteworthy. It often involves hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Completion, on the other hand, refers to the act of finishing or reaching the end of a task or project. It may or may not involve achieving a specific goal.

So, which of these two words is the proper one to use? The answer is that it depends on the context. Both achievement and completion have their places in our vocabulary, and they are not interchangeable. Knowing when to use each one can help you communicate more effectively and avoid confusion.

In the following sections, we will explore the differences between achievement and completion in more detail. We will discuss why achievement is often more desirable than completion, how to measure achievement, and how to use these concepts to set and achieve meaningful goals.

Define Achievement

Achievement is the act of successfully accomplishing a goal or objective that requires effort, skill, and perseverance. It is the recognition of progress and growth towards a desired outcome. Achievements can be personal, professional, or academic and can be measured by specific criteria or standards.

For example, a student who earns a high grade on a difficult exam has achieved academic success. A musician who performs a challenging piece flawlessly has achieved a musical accomplishment. An entrepreneur who builds a successful business from scratch has achieved a significant professional achievement.

Define Completion

Completion is the act of finishing a task or project to its entirety. It is the state of being done or finished with a particular activity or objective. Completion can be measured by the absence of unfinished tasks or by meeting specific deadlines or requirements.

For example, a construction project that has reached its final stages and has all the necessary components in place is considered complete. A student who finishes their homework on time and turns it in to the teacher has completed their assignment. A writer who submits their manuscript to a publisher has completed their book.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, choosing the right words to convey your message is crucial. Two words that are often confused are achievement and completion. While they may seem interchangeable, they have distinct meanings that can greatly impact the tone and clarity of your writing. In this section, we will explore how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Achievement” In A Sentence

Achievement is a noun that refers to a successful result gained through effort or skill. It is often used to describe a significant accomplishment or milestone. Here are some examples of how to use achievement in a sentence:

• Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team.
• She felt a sense of achievement after completing the marathon.
• Getting a promotion at work was a major achievement for him.

As you can see, achievement is typically used to describe a positive outcome that was earned through hard work or talent.

How To Use “Completion” In A Sentence

Completion is also a noun, but it refers to the act of finishing or completing something. It is often used to describe the final step in a process or project. Here are some examples of how to use completion in a sentence:

• The completion of the building project took longer than expected.
• He was relieved to finally reach completion on the report.
• The artist was proud of the completion of her latest masterpiece.

As you can see, completion is typically used to describe the act of finishing or completing a task or project.

When using these words in a sentence, it is important to consider their meanings and choose the one that best fits the context. Using them correctly can greatly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More Examples Of Achievement & Completion Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between achievement and completion, it can be helpful to see them used in context. Here are some examples of each:

Examples Of Using Achievement In A Sentence

• Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team.
• Graduating with honors was a major achievement for the student.
• Completing the marathon was a personal achievement for the runner.
• Getting the promotion was a significant achievement for the employee.
• Finishing the novel was a major achievement for the author.
• Building the business from scratch was a remarkable achievement for the entrepreneur.
• Reaching the summit of the mountain was a tremendous achievement for the climber.
• Winning the award was a notable achievement for the artist.
• Completing the project ahead of schedule was a significant achievement for the team.
• Learning to play an instrument was a personal achievement for the musician.

Examples Of Using Completion In A Sentence

• Finishing the race was a great sense of completion for the runner.
• Graduating from college was a major completion for the student.
• Completing the renovation of the house was a significant completion for the homeowner.
• Getting the paperwork done on time was a major completion for the office.
• Finishing the painting was a significant completion for the artist.
• Wrapping up the project was a great sense of completion for the team.
• Finishing the book was a major completion for the author.
• Completing the requirements for the certification was a significant completion for the professional.
• Getting the car fixed was a major completion for the owner.
• Finishing the meal was a great sense of completion for the chef.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to discussing goals and tasks, the terms “achievement” and “completion” are often used interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Below are some of the common mistakes people make when using these terms interchangeably, along with explanations of why they are incorrect.

Using “Achievement” And “Completion” As Synonyms

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “achievement” and “completion” as synonyms. While both terms refer to the successful completion of a task or goal, they have different connotations. “Completion” simply means finishing something, while “achievement” implies a sense of accomplishment or success beyond just finishing.

For example, if someone says “I completed my daily tasks,” it simply means they finished what they had to do. However, if someone says “I achieved my daily tasks,” it implies that they not only finished what they had to do, but they did it well and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Confusing Progress With Achievement

Another mistake people make is confusing progress with achievement. While progress is an important part of achieving a goal, it is not the same as achieving the goal itself. Progress is simply moving forward towards a goal, while achievement is successfully reaching the goal.

For example, if someone says “I made progress towards my goal,” it means they are moving forward and getting closer to their goal, but they have not yet achieved it. On the other hand, if someone says “I achieved my goal,” it means they successfully reached their goal.

Offering Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the differences between “achievement” and “completion” and use them correctly. Here are some tips:

• Think about the connotations of each term before using them
• Use “completion” when referring to simply finishing a task or goal
• Use “achievement” when referring to successfully completing a task or goal with a sense of accomplishment
• Be clear about the difference between progress and achievement

Context Matters

When it comes to achieving goals, the choice between focusing on achievement versus completion can depend on the context in which they are used. While both are important, the emphasis on one over the other can vary depending on the situation at hand.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between achievement and completion might change:

Academic Settings

In an academic setting, the focus is often on achieving a specific grade or level of understanding. This means that the emphasis is on achieving a specific goal rather than simply completing the task at hand. For example, a student may aim to achieve an A in a class rather than simply completing all of the required assignments.

Workplace Settings

In a workplace setting, the focus may be more on completing tasks and projects within a given timeframe. While achieving specific goals is still important, the emphasis is on completing tasks efficiently and effectively. For example, a project manager may prioritize completing a project on time and within budget over achieving a specific outcome.

Personal Goals

When it comes to personal goals, the choice between achievement and completion can vary depending on the individual and the goal in question. For some, the focus may be on achieving a specific outcome, such as running a marathon or writing a book. For others, the emphasis may be on completing a task or habit, such as meditating every day or practicing a musical instrument regularly.

Ultimately, the choice between focusing on achievement versus completion depends on the context in which they are used. By understanding the different contexts in which these concepts are applied, individuals can better determine which approach is most appropriate for their specific goals and circumstances.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using achievement and completion are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. It’s important to understand these exceptions to avoid using the wrong term in certain situations.

1. Ongoing Actions

When describing ongoing actions or processes, it’s more appropriate to use the term “completion” rather than “achievement.” This is because completion refers to the act of finishing something, while achievement implies a specific result or goal being reached.

For example, if you’re describing a project that is still in progress, you would say “we are nearing completion” rather than “we are nearing achievement.”

2. Negative Outcomes

In some cases, using the term “achievement” to describe a negative outcome can come across as insensitive or inappropriate. For example, if someone fails a test, it would be more appropriate to say “they did not complete the test” rather than “they did not achieve a passing grade.”

3. Personal Goals

When it comes to personal goals, the distinction between achievement and completion can be more subjective. In these cases, it’s important to consider the individual’s perspective and what they consider to be a meaningful accomplishment.

For example, someone may set a goal to run a marathon, but due to an injury, they are only able to complete half of the race. While they did not achieve their original goal, they may still feel a sense of accomplishment in completing half of the race.

4. Cultural Differences

It’s important to consider cultural differences when using the terms achievement and completion. In some cultures, the emphasis may be on the process rather than the outcome, and using the term “achievement” may be seen as overly individualistic or competitive.

For example, in some Asian cultures, the concept of “face” or saving face is important, and the emphasis may be on avoiding failure rather than achieving success. In these cases, it may be more appropriate to use the term “completion” rather than “achievement.”

Practice Exercises

To help readers improve their understanding and use of achievement and completion in sentences, the following practice exercises are provided:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Sentence	Blank
The __________ of the project was a great accomplishment.	completion
She __________ the marathon in under three hours.	achieved
The team __________ their goal of winning the championship.	achieved
He was proud of his __________ of the difficult task.	completion

Answer key:

• completion
• achieved
• achieved
• completion

Exercise 2: Sentence Correction

For each sentence, identify whether the word achievement or completion is used correctly. If the word is incorrect, replace it with the correct word.

1. After years of hard work, the completion of her degree was a great achievement.
2. The team’s achievement of the championship was a result of their dedication and teamwork.
3. He felt a sense of accomplishment after the completion of the difficult project.
4. She achieved the task of running a marathon in under three hours.

Answer key:

1. Correct
2. Correct
3. Correct
4. Incorrect – should be “completed the task of running a marathon”

By completing these exercises, readers can improve their understanding and use of achievement and completion in sentences.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between achievement and completion, it is clear that both concepts are important in their own ways. While completion represents the act of finishing a task, achievement is about the personal growth and development that comes with it.

It is essential to understand the distinction between the two, as it can have a significant impact on our mindset and approach towards our goals. By focusing solely on completion, we risk missing out on the valuable lessons and experiences that come with the journey towards achieving our goals.

Therefore, it is important to strive for both completion and achievement in our pursuits. We should celebrate our accomplishments while also recognizing the personal growth and development that came with them. This mindset can help us stay motivated and continue to push ourselves towards greater success.

As we continue to learn and grow, it is crucial to also prioritize our language use and grammar. Clear and effective communication is essential in both personal and professional settings. By continuing to improve our language skills, we can enhance our ability to convey our ideas and connect with others.

So, let us continue to strive for both achievement and completion while also prioritizing our language use and grammar. By doing so, we can reach new heights of success and effectively communicate our ideas with the world.