a partial success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a partial success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that achieved some of its goals but not all of them. Example: "The project was a partial success, as we managed to meet the deadline but did not achieve the desired quality standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who urged viewers to "tune out" of the Oscars in protest against the failure of the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts to nominate a single actor of colour for the second successive year, said he believed the campaign had been at least a partial success.

The Guardian - Film

That makes Kerala "only a partial success".

The Economist

Integration has been only a partial success.

The Economist

It was at least a partial success.

The Guardian - Sport

The results were a partial success.

The Guardian - Business

And even that was no more than a partial success.

The Economist

As usual, the strike was only a partial success.

The Economist

The strategy appears to be only a partial success.

The New York Times

The outcome represents a partial success on behalf of Trafigura for Carter-Ruck partner Adam Tudor.

The Guardian

"We do have a partial success at conflict prevention," he said.

The New York Times

A few years down the line, Kibaki's government was a partial success.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a partial success", clearly specify which aspects were successful and which were not to provide a balanced and informative perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "a partial success" when the outcome was largely unsuccessful. Reserve it for situations where there was a significant achievement despite some shortcomings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a partial success" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object to describe an outcome that is not entirely successful. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to show that some objectives were achieved, though not all.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a partial success" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an outcome that achieves some, but not all, of its objectives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appropriate for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news, scientific, and formal business writing. When using this phrase, clarify which aspects were successful and which were not, and avoid overstating the degree of success. Consider alternatives like "limited achievement" or "mixed results" to fine-tune your message. The frequency and distribution across authoritative sources underscore its relevance in nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited achievement

Emphasizes the restricted scope of the success.

qualified success

Highlights that the success is not absolute and comes with conditions.

moderate triumph

Suggests a restrained or average level of victory.

incomplete victory

Focuses on the lack of full attainment of the desired outcome.

relative accomplishment

Indicates that the success is dependent on a specific comparison or context.

mixed results

Highlights that the outcome includes both positive and negative aspects.

halfway there

Emphasizes the progress made while acknowledging the remaining distance to the goal.

a degree of success

Indicates that some level of success was achieved.

some progress made

Focuses on the advancement achieved, rather than the overall success.

partially effective

Highlights that the intended effect was only achieved to some extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "a partial success" to describe situations where some goals were achieved, but not all. For example, "The new marketing campaign was "a partial success", increasing website traffic but not leading to a significant boost in sales."

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

You can use alternatives like "limited achievement", "qualified success", or "mixed results" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a partial success" or "a complete success"?

The choice depends on the outcome. Use ""a partial success"" when some objectives were met but others weren't. Use "a complete success" when all objectives were fully achieved.

What's the difference between "a partial success" and "a failure"?

"A partial success" indicates that some positive results were obtained, even if the overall goal wasn't fully met. "A failure" implies that no significant positive results were achieved.