verb
1
BAD : It has taken women a long time to obtain equality.
GOOD : It has taken women a long time to achieve equality.
BAD : With these new policies the government hopes to obtain economic stability.
GOOD : With these new policies the government hopes to achieve economic stability.
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When you are talking about something that takes a long time and a great amount of work or effort, use achieve (NOT obtain ): 'By the end of the course you really feel that you have achieved something.' 'The company intends to achieve all these goals within the next five years.' 'Her only purpose in life was to achieve stardom.'
2
DUBIOUS : Where did you obtain the ticket?
GOOD : Where did you get the ticket?
DUBIOUS : He's been trying to obtain a part-time job.
GOOD : He's been trying to get a part-time job.
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Obtain is mainly used in formal styles: 'Information about visas and passports can be obtained from your local library.'
The usual word for this meaning is get : 'How long does it take to get a visa?'
3
See DEGREE 4 (↑ degree )