a small success

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small success" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a victory, accomplishment, or breakthrough that is relatively minor in scope or importance. For example, "After months of hard work, finally getting that contract was a small success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"Now, granted, this isn't a small success we're talking about".

The New Yorker

It is a small success, the kind of dessert that anyone in the restaurant could make at home.

The New York Times - Food

He said the quashing was a "small success in the context of a bigger picture" of the policing of protest.

The Guardian

After achieving a small success, where can you find opportunities for additional practice to build that confidence muscle?

The Washington Post

And just last week, the group logged what it considered a small success when its leaders were granted a two-hour meeting with Cardinal Law.

The New York Times

It's all rattled off with a razor-sharp wit: "I must confess I've made a mess of what should be a small success, but I digress.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Vendors' claims for the take-up of IPTV services are implausible, he says; despite a few small success stories, such as Hong Kong, there are still no really large-scale deployments to point at.

The Economist

In a first, small success for PhDnet, that same year MPG started offering stipend holders better benefits, including subsidies toward private health insurance and significantly higher child allowances.

Science Magazine

It may sound like a small-scale success, but it's evidence of a growing consciousness in virtual kindness – helping people we don't know.

The Guardian - Opinion

It might take a day to get through all of them, but even a few small successes (or, preferably, a great big one) will make up for it.

WikiHow

Instead, start with a few small successes.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small success" when you want to acknowledge an achievement without overstating its importance. It's especially useful when describing incremental progress or initial positive outcomes in a larger, ongoing effort.

Common error

Avoid using "a small success" to describe something truly remarkable or transformative. Doing so can diminish the impact of the accomplishment and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small success" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an achievement or accomplishment that is limited in scope or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small success" is a versatile term used to describe a minor or limited achievement. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a perfectly valid and grammatically correct expression. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, business, and even scientific discussions. While not indicative of a major breakthrough, acknowledging "a small success" is often crucial for recognizing incremental progress or initial positive outcomes. When using this phrase, ensure you are accurately reflecting the scale of the achievement to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "a modest triumph" or "a minor victory" can provide similar shades of meaning, allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a modest triumph

Replaces "success" with "triumph", emphasizing the feeling of victory, although still small-scale.

a minor victory

Substitutes "success" with "victory", highlighting the element of winning, but on a smaller scale.

a limited achievement

Replaces "success" with "achievement", focusing on the accomplishment itself, while "limited" keeps the sense of scale.

a slight accomplishment

Emphasizes the small degree of achievement.

a marginal gain

Focuses on the improvement or benefit obtained, emphasizing its small size.

a partial win

Indicates that the success is not complete or total.

a qualified success

Suggests that the success is conditional or has limitations.

a measured improvement

Focuses on the progress made, highlighting its limited scope.

a minor breakthrough

Highlights a sudden advance or discovery, though not a significant one.

a trace of success

Emphasizes that there is very little success to begin with.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small success" to describe a minor achievement, such as "Getting the first client was "a small success" in our startup journey."

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

Alternatives include "a modest triumph", "a minor victory", or "a limited achievement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a small successful" instead of "a small success"?

While "successful" is an adjective related to success, the more common and grammatically appropriate phrase is "a small success", where "success" is a noun.

What's the difference between "a small success" and "a major success"?

"A small success" refers to a minor or limited achievement, whereas "a major success" implies a significant and impactful accomplishment.