Today’s Mean Ol’ Schoolmarm post has a ring of independence to it, but if you want a bit more, here are twenty interesting things about the 4th of July!
The use of the words “attain” or “obtain” is today’s subject matter, and it apparently is a challenging one as I frequently see the two used incorrectly. Not that I have ever mistaken one for the other…*ahem*.
Both words are verbs and contain the suffix “tain”, but beyond those two similarities, the verbs have markedly different pronunciations (obviously) and meanings (not-so-obviously…hence, the need for this post).
The word “attain” implies a significant effort or measure of difficulty was required to reach or accomplish a goal of some sort.
Consider the sentence, “Our freedom and democracy were attained at great cost.”
Attaining these two rights were achieved through considerable loss. Men and women died in joint devotion of this cause.
By contrast, the word “obtain” does not carry with it the same measure of sustained effort. It can be more or less replaced with the words, “to get” and not lose its meaning.
The above sentence, “Fireworks are typically obtained beyond the city limits.” makes it clear that all it takes to purchase this product is a quick trip across the city line.
Or, if we’re sticking true to 18th century form, we should call them “illuminations.”
“Attaining the respect of his soldiers, George Washington continually deflected praise for himself onto his officers.”
George Washington could not purchase his soldiers’ respect; he earned it through his consistent, in the trenches commitment and achievement.
“One can obtain a goose flight quill pen similar to what the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence used in 1776.”
In other words, I can easily possess, buy or acquire a pen of this nature via a Google search. It takes little to no effort to make it happen.
Some things you may attain can also be obtained.
This is where it gets a bit murky, but not too terribly, because the individual words still retain their meaning.
Look at these two sentences:
“In the 18th century, soldiers could obtain an officer’s commission in the British army.” – Meaning they could buy their way into the position.
“Today, attaining an officer’s commission typically requires soldiers to meet certain standards for time in service or grade as well as standing before a promotion board.” – Meaning they can not come by the commission as easily as those in the past who had a rich father or uncle. The commission follows completion of a long term, non-material goal with a designated amount of time and effort.
While it may appear as though there is a bit of common ground between these two verbs, once one applies some thought to it, the original meanings hold fast.
Now, go forth and celebrate the freedom attained on your behalf, but not before stopping by the grocery store to obtain all the ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Fourth of July cake!
For some fun, see if you can come up with a patriotic sentence that includes both the words attain and obtain! Write it in the comments below for all of us to enjoy!
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who inspires homeschooling families to live, love and learn. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods where she currently home schools two of her three kids.