Quiz
French result verbs: goals, attempts and outcomes in 10 questions
Choose réussir, accomplir, obtenir, recevoir and résoudre in clear situations. Practise ten questions that separate a goal, an attempt and an achieved result.
- B1
- 10 questions
- Every answer explained
- No account needed
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
Use réussir for success, accomplir for carrying out a task, obtenir for gaining something and recevoir for receiving it. Résoudre means solving a problem. Read the whole phrase: chercher à résoudre states an effort; avoir résolu states a solution.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| réussir un examen | Elle a réussi son examen. | She passed her exam. |
| réussir à + infinitif | Elle a réussi à terminer à temps. | She managed to finish on time. |
| accomplir une tâche | Elle a accompli sa mission. | She carried out her mission. |
| obtenir un résultat | Elle a obtenu une réponse précise. | She obtained a precise answer. |
| recevoir un message | Elle a reçu un courriel. | She received an email. |
| résoudre un problème | Elle a résolu le problème. | She solved the problem. |
A reply can arrive before it gives you what you need. Compare J’ai reçu une réponse with J’ai obtenu l’horaire demandé. The first describes receipt; the second says you got the requested timetable. Both verbs can fit the same event, but their focus differs.
What is the difference between essayer, réussir and arriver à?
J’ai reçu une réponse lundi et j’ai obtenu un rendez-vous pour jeudi. Maintenant, je cherche à résoudre le problème de mon dossier.
I received a reply on Monday and got an appointment for Thursday. Now I’m trying to solve the problem with my file.
The report names two completed events, then the current effort. For another version, change only the last stage: Le rendez-vous a permis de résoudre le problème. Keep the message, appointment and solution separate so the reader can follow your progress.