这些动词均有“达到”之意。
attain ：侧重指在抱负或雄心的激励下，以最大的努力去达到一般所不及或不敢追求的目的。
- Most of our students attained five ‘A’ grades in their exams.
我们多数学生的考试成绩是五个优。 - Jim is halfway to attaining his pilot’s licence.
吉姆就快要拿到飞行员执照了。 - For us, it’s something that we may aspire to but can never attain.
对我们来说，那是可望而不可即的。
reach ：常用词，指到达某一空间、时间、目标或发展过程中的某一点。
- They didn’t reach the border until after dark.
他们天黑以后才到达边境。 - I hope this letter reaches you.
我希望你能收到这封信。
achieve ：侧重为达到目的所需的技巧、忍耐和努力。
- He had finally achieved success.
他终于获得了成功。 - They could not achieve their target of less than 3% inflation.
他们未能达到通货膨胀低于3%的目标。
arrive ：指得出结论，达成某项协议或作出某一决定等。
- The time has arrived when I need to give up smoking.
我戒烟的时机已到。 - These figures are arrived at on the basis of dentists ‘receipts for 1991-1992.
这些数字是根据1991至1992年间的牙医收据统计得出的。