a complete success

USAGE SUMMARY

"a complete success" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that has been successful in all aspects or to its fullest extent. For example: "The science experiment was a complete success - everything went according to plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a complete success.

The New York Times - Sports

The exercise was a complete success.

Independent

He said it was a complete success.

The New York Times - Magazine

In this regard, his visit was a complete success.

The New York Times

The telescope engineers have pronounced the mission a complete success.

The New York Times - Science

Her disguise was a complete success for nearly a year.

Britannica

This first of the Grignard reagents was a complete success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Biosatellite 2 (launched Sept. 7, 1967) was a complete success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The surgery was a complete success, Dr. Bederson said.

The New York Times

The statement added, "It is now clear that the operations have been a complete success".

The New York Times

In October, the Pentagon initially hailed its first intercept test as a complete success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a complete success" to emphasize that all aspects of an endeavor were successful, leaving no room for doubt or partial failure.

Common error

While "a complete success" is a strong affirmation, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "resounding triumph" or "unqualified victory" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete success" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a predicate nominative or appositive. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It typically renames or describes a subject, indicating a fully realized positive outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete success" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote that something has fully achieved its intended goals. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It is frequently encountered in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific reports, indicating a neutral register. When writing, it's best to employ this phrase to accentuate the thoroughness of a positive outcome, being mindful of overuse and considering alternatives like "a resounding triumph" or "an unqualified victory" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a resounding triumph

Emphasizes the powerful and clear nature of the success.

an unqualified victory

Highlights that the success is absolute and without any reservations.

a total accomplishment

Focuses on the achievement aspect, indicating that the goal was fully realized.

a smashing success

Uses a more informal and emphatic term to describe the success.

a guaranteed hit

Implies that the success was certain and predictable.

a sure thing

Suggests a high level of confidence in the success.

a major achievement

Highlights the significance and scale of the success.

a fulfilling experience

Shifts the focus to the satisfying nature of the successful endeavor.

a worthwhile endeavor

Suggests that the effort put in was justified by the successful outcome.

a positive result

Offers a more general and understated way to describe the success.

FAQs

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

You can use "a complete success" to describe an event, project, or action that achieved its goals fully and without any significant setbacks. For example, "The surgery was "a complete success", and the patient is recovering well."

What are some alternatives to saying "a complete success"?

Alternatives include "a resounding triumph", "an unqualified victory", or "a major achievement", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a complete and total success"?

Yes, saying "a complete and total success" is redundant. The words "complete" and "total" have very similar meanings in this context, so using both is unnecessary. Sticking with ""a complete success"" is more concise and effective.

Can "a complete success" be used sarcastically?

While primarily used to express genuine achievement, "a complete success" can be used sarcastically in contexts where the outcome was clearly not successful. The tone of voice or surrounding context would indicate the sarcastic intent.