a substantial success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an achievement that is significant or considerable in nature. Example: "The launch of the new product was a substantial success, exceeding all sales expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A big Hollywood movie, even a substantial success, can substantially burn out in less than a month.

The New York Times

He pronounced it a "substantial success".

The Guardian

Spectre was also a substantial success, although some critics said it seemed a bit tired.

The Guardian

It was not an overwhelming victory, but it was a substantial success.

Harvard University

Daniel Ihn-Kyu Lee, a lyrical baritone engaged to sing several tiny roles, had a substantial success in adding the carpenter to his list.

The New York Times - Arts

However, because he managed to portray the fairly modest results of his negotiations as a substantial success, the referendum, which took place in 1975, ended with a landslide victory for the pro-European camp.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In the background of MIP generating substantial success as a vaccine, not only prophylactic, but also therapeutic, the current study may bear some critical implications and needs immediate attention.

Plosone

And the new estimates come as the company, after weeks of failed efforts, is enjoying its first substantial success at preventing a significant volume of oil from entering the gulf.

The New York Times

Even though this strategy continues to be a work in progress, it has yielded substantial success.

Columbia University

The only thing left for Magula to do was move on, and his next opportunity would come on a stage that he had already had substantial success.

Los Angeles Times

A substantial commercial success considering it was independently produced on a million-dollar budget, "Kissing Jessica Stein" brought a great deal of attention to Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen, the film's co-stars and screenwriters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial success" to emphasize the significant positive outcome of an endeavor, project, or action. It conveys a higher degree of achievement than simply "a success".

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial success" if the results are only moderately positive. Reserve this phrase for situations where the achievement is truly significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial success" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "success". It serves to characterize the success as being of significant magnitude or importance, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

33%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial success" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a significant achievement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it implies a considerable degree of positive outcome and is appropriate for various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and effective when emphasizing the importance of an achievement. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for objective reporting and professional communication. Remember to reserve it for situations where the achievement is genuinely impactful and not just moderately positive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable achievement

Replaces "success" with "achievement", focusing on the accomplishment itself; "considerable" is a more formal synonym of "substantial".

a significant triumph

Substitutes "success" with "triumph", conveying a stronger sense of victory or overcoming challenges; "significant" is used instead of "substantial".

a noteworthy accomplishment

Similar to "considerable achievement", but emphasizes the quality of being worthy of attention.

a marked improvement

Focuses on the positive change or progress made, rather than the overall success.

a resounding victory

Emphasizes the decisiveness and completeness of the success.

an impressive feat

Highlights the skill or effort required to achieve the success.

a major breakthrough

Suggests a sudden and significant advance or discovery.

a demonstrable gain

Highlights the positive results are real, true, and can be shown.

a laudable result

Focuses on the praiseworthy nature of the outcome.

a valuable contribution

Highlights the benefit or importance of the success.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial success" to describe a significant achievement. For example, "The new marketing campaign was "a substantial success", leading to a significant increase in sales."

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

You can use alternatives like "a considerable achievement", "a significant triumph", or "a noteworthy accomplishment" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a considerable success" or "a substantial success"?

Both "a considerable success" and "a substantial success" are acceptable. "Substantial" emphasizes the size or amount of the success, while "considerable" emphasizes the degree or extent. They are largely interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "a substantial success"?

Use "a substantial success" when the outcome significantly exceeds expectations or has a major positive impact. It implies more than just a simple success; it signifies a considerable achievement.