a mark of success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mark of success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a sign or indication that someone has achieved success in a particular area or endeavor. Example: "Receiving the award was a mark of success for her hard work and dedication to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

What was that, if not a mark of success?

The Guardian - Books

Being big was in itself a mark of success.

Harvard Business Review

In China, he notes, a Washlet is an aspirational item, a mark of success.

The Economist

If that happened, he added, he would consider it a mark of success.

The New York Times

Asking your shareholder for a large handout is not usually seen as a mark of success.

The Guardian - Business

Failure to adapt to changing social attitudes is not a mark of success.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Their arthritis is both caused by this strategy, and a mark of its success.

The Economist

In his view, my consistent failure is a mark of my success.

The New York Times - Magazine

A mark of his success is the scrappy look of a studio in which finished work never stays for long.

The New Yorker

A mark of its success is that the Christmas special will be the centrepiece of the schedule.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The unrealistic nature of this literature is a failure by our standards; for 19th-century readers, it was a mark of its success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mark of success" to highlight an achievement or positive outcome, linking it directly to the efforts or strategies that led to it. For example, "Increased customer satisfaction is a mark of success for the improved service protocols."

Common error

While "a mark of success" is generally acceptable, its somewhat formal tone might sound out of place in very casual conversations. Consider more relaxed alternatives like "a good sign" or "shows it's working" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mark of success" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify something as an indicator or symbol of having achieved a desired outcome or goal. It's used to positively characterize a situation, event, or achievement, affirming its favorable nature. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mark of success" is a noun phrase used to indicate a sign or indicator of achievement. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies it as commonly used in neutral to professional contexts, especially in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. While interchangeable with alternatives like "a sign of achievement" or "an indication of triumph", it's best to avoid overuse in very informal situations. Use this phrase to highlight positive outcomes and give recognition to accomplishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A sign of achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment itself rather than just an indicator.

An indication of triumph

Emphasizes a victory or major accomplishment.

Evidence of accomplishment

Highlights concrete proof of success.

A symbol of victory

Suggests a deeper, representative meaning of success.

A testament to progress

Implies ongoing development and positive change.

A measure of attainment

Highlights the act of reaching a desired level or goal.

A token of recognition

Focuses on external validation and acknowledgement of success.

An attribute of prosperity

Connects success with overall well-being and affluence.

A demonstration of competence

Highlights the underlying skill or ability leading to success.

A hallmark of distinction

Emphasizes unique and outstanding qualities that define success.

FAQs

How can I use "a mark of success" in a sentence?

You can use "a mark of success" to indicate that something is a sign or indication that someone has achieved success. For example, "The company's increased profits are "a mark of success" for their new marketing strategy."

What can I say instead of "a mark of success"?

You can use alternatives like "a sign of achievement", "an indication of triumph", or "evidence of accomplishment", depending on the specific context.

Is "a mark of success" formal or informal?

"A mark of success" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for business, news, and academic writing. It might sound a bit out of place in very casual conversations.

What is the difference between "a mark of success" and "a sign of success"?

While both phrases are similar, "a mark of success" often implies a more definitive or established indicator, whereas "a sign of success" can refer to something more preliminary or suggestive. They are often interchangeable but "a mark of success" gives more emphasis.