a certain success

USAGE SUMMARY

"a certain success" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that is almost certain to be successful. For example, "The launch of the new product was a certain success due to its innovative features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Thus, our proposal using QD-cavity systems can obtain a certain success probability with high fidelity.

Physics Letters A

Now the group are coming to England, where they can be assured of a certain success.

The Guardian - Music

These and similar schemes in other countries in Europe achieved a certain success but for various reasons could not be said to have provided the ultimate solution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A fair number of American movie stars, having arrived at a certain success, appear to fall into a stricken state and seek the light of redemption.

The New Yorker

'As champions of a big country used to a certain success, they will feel they have lost a bit of pride.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Golub was once a limner of monumental but anonymous figures -- solitary or engaged in existential struggles -- which had a certain success.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He had neither the size nor the strength to indicate certain success as an athlete.

The New York Times - Books

His being barred from certain success brought an outpouring of frustration by his countrymen, who perceived themselves as victims of dark international forces.

The New York Times

If you went to a certain program, success was associated with you.

The New York Times - Sports

Up to a certain limit, success of the LC LCD separation does not depend on the column efficiency and reasonable results can be obtained even with the columns packed with rather big particles.

Polymer

Patch residence time, travel speed, and search patterns are some of the decision variables and mechanisms by which animals achieve a certain foraging success [ 18, 19].

BMC Ecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain success", ensure the context supports a high probability of a positive outcome. Overusing it can weaken its impact, so reserve it for situations where success is genuinely highly likely.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain success" when the outcome is still uncertain or dependent on too many variables. This phrase implies a level of assurance that might not be warranted, potentially misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain success" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. It identifies something as possessing a high probability of achieving a positive outcome, as Ludwig confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain success" is a phrase used to express a strong belief or expectation that something will be successful. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts from News & Media to Science writing and Encyclopedia entries. However, be mindful of overstating the certainty when the outcome is not fully guaranteed. Consider alternatives like "assured triumph" or "likely victory" to fine-tune the level of confidence conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assured triumph

Emphasizes the guaranteed nature of the success, implying no doubt about the positive outcome.

guaranteed win

Focuses on the win aspect, suggesting that success is inevitable and beyond question.

definite hit

Highlights the impact and popularity of the success, implying a strong positive reception.

likely victory

Stresses the high probability of achieving victory, indicating a strong chance of success.

foregone conclusion

Suggests the success is already determined, with no real possibility of failure.

highly probable success

Emphasizes the high likelihood of success, using more formal language.

almost certain success

Uses a more descriptive approach to convey the near certainty of a positive result.

virtually assured success

Indicates that success is practically guaranteed, leaving very little room for doubt.

near certainty of success

Shifts the focus to the level of certainty associated with the expected outcome.

all but guaranteed success

Implies that while not 100% guaranteed, success is overwhelmingly likely.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain success" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain success" to describe something that is very likely to succeed. For example, "With its innovative design, the new product launch is "a certain success"".

What are some alternatives to "a certain success"?

Alternatives to "a certain success" include "assured triumph", "guaranteed win", or "likely victory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a certain success" or "certain success"?

While both phrases are understandable, "a certain success" is more common and idiomatic. "Certain success" without the article "a" is less frequently used.

What does "a certain success" imply about the level of confidence?

"A certain success" suggests a high level of confidence in a positive outcome, indicating that the success is almost guaranteed due to favorable conditions or strong evidence.