He has success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "He has success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the achievement of a desired goal or an accomplishment of some kind. Example sentence: "John has worked hard all year and he has success in landing the promotion he wanted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He has success in entertainment.

The Guardian

He has success, wealth, a tabloid-ready relationship with Amber Rose — Kanye West's ex — and a strong belief in his invincibility.

The New York Times - Arts

Now, thanks to a performance of great maturity and dogged resistance, he has success at Wembley to savour.

The Guardian - Sport

"I can't wait to start working with him because every report we've had about him as a footballer and a person, he's top of the pile, very motivated and still feels he has success ahead of him.

BBC

Garko said that the reason he was signed by Seattle was because he has success against left-handed pitching.

Wikipedia

As with most draft picks, how the Steelers use and develops Davis will be the biggest factor in whether or not he has success at the next level.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"He had success in Jacksonville.

The New York Times

Other than that, will he have success?

The New York Times

Wherever he has been, he had success.

The Guardian - Sport

He had success at his last team, Porto, too.

The Guardian - Sport

"Can he have success in the C.F.L.? I don't know," Popp said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and natural-sounding alternatives like "He is successful" or "He achieved success" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "He has success" in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound unnatural. Opt for alternatives like "He is successful" or "He achieves success" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "He has success" functions as a statement indicating that an individual possesses or experiences success. While grammatically correct, according to Ludwig, this construction isn't as common as alternatives like "He is successful".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "He has success" is not the most common or natural way to express that someone is achieving positive outcomes. Ludwig indicates that more common alternatives such as "He is successful" or "He achieves success" are generally preferred. The phrase appears in news and media sources, but is considered relatively informal, therefore, more formal settings may benefit from using other alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He is successful

This is a more common and direct way to express that someone achieves success.

He achieves success

This alternative emphasizes the action of achieving success.

He triumphs

This suggests a significant victory or overcoming a major obstacle.

He prospers

This implies long-term success and well-being, often in a financial sense.

He flourishes

This suggests thriving and developing well, often in a broader sense than just achievement.

He is a success story

This frames him as an example of someone who has achieved great things.

He reaps rewards

This alternative highlights the positive outcomes of effort and hard work.

He gets ahead

This phrase suggests making progress and advancing in life or career.

He fulfills his potential

This expresses the idea of realizing one's capabilities and achieving what one is capable of.

He accomplishes his goals

This focuses on the attainment of specific objectives.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "He has success"?

More common alternatives include "He is successful", "He achieves success", or simply "He succeeds".

Is "He has success" grammatically incorrect?

No, "He has success" is grammatically correct, but it's less common and can sound awkward compared to other options.

When is it appropriate to use "He has success"?

While grammatically sound, using "He has success" is usually appropriate in informal contexts. Formal writing typically benefits from alternatives like "He is successful" or "He achieves success".

What is the difference between "He has success" and "He is successful"?

The phrase "He is successful" is an adjectival phrase describing a state of being, while "He has success" uses the noun form, describing possession. "He is successful" is the more conventional and widely used phrasing.