Page 996 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

To obtain is to get or to acquire. To attain is to
reach. A person obtains an education but

attains a goal.

Obtaining a job in the field of genetic engineering is a goal Mai

has always hoped to attain.

past, passed

Past is a noun meaning an earlier time or an

adjective meaning beyond or before now.

Passed is a verb that means went by.

“In the past, I might have passed that car,” said Chelsea, “but

now I’m a more cautious driver.”

peace, piece