a substantive success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantive success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or meaningful achievement in various contexts, such as business, academia, or personal goals. Example: "The project was deemed a substantive success, leading to increased funding for future initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On the whole, the most politically toxic program since welfare and forced busing has been a substantive success.

The New Yorker

Should the Supreme Court chuck Obamacare, health policy will be back to Square 1, and Obama's presidency will be instantly transformed from a substantive success to a substantive failure.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Have U.S. policies thereby become more prudent, enlightened, and successful? 6. Assassin-in-chief: A policy of assassination, secretly implemented under the aegis of the CIA during the early Cold War, yielded few substantive successes.

Huffington Post

"But I think it's more of an 'information operations' success than a substantive one of holding any territory".

The New York Times

Because either on a substantive level or a political level, I think there actually is a chance for some limited success for Obama in this exercise.

Huffington Post

A substantive disagreement.

The New York Times

She declined requests for a substantive interview.

The New York Times

But Robin then adds a substantive component.

The New York Times - Books

There is a substantive point here.

The Guardian

A vote on whether a matter is procedural or substantive is itself a substantive question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're seeing quite a substantive move," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantive success", ensure that the context clearly defines what makes the success 'substantive'. Provide specific details about the achievement's impact or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantive success" for minor achievements. This phrase implies a significant and impactful result, so ensure the scale of the accomplishment warrants such a description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantive success" functions as a noun phrase that describes an achievement with considerable importance or impact. It characterizes the nature of the success, emphasizing that it is more than just superficial or symbolic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantive success" is a phrase used to describe an achievement that has a significant and measurable impact. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. While its frequency is rare, it effectively conveys the importance and real-world implications of a particular accomplishment. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines why the success is considered 'substantive', providing specific details about its impact. Consider alternatives like "a significant achievement" or "a meaningful triumph" to best fit the nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant achievement

Replaces "substantive" with "significant" and "success" with "achievement" for a more generic expression.

a meaningful triumph

Substitutes "success" with "triumph" to imply a more decisive victory and "substantive" with "meaningful" to emphasize its importance.

a considerable accomplishment

Uses "considerable" instead of "substantive" to highlight the size or impact of the accomplishment.

a noteworthy success

Replaces "substantive" with "noteworthy", indicating that the success is worth paying attention to.

a tangible victory

Emphasizes the concrete and measurable aspects of the success by using "tangible".

an important breakthrough

Focuses on the innovative aspect of the success, portraying it as a major advancement.

a genuine accomplishment

Highlights the authenticity and realness of the achievement.

a valuable achievement

Replaces substantive and success with valuable achievement. Valuable underlines the importance and worth of a certain achievement.

a fundamental win

Focuses on the foundational aspect of the success as a win.

a material advantage

Switches to a more business-oriented term suggesting a practical benefit or gain.

FAQs

How can "a substantive success" be used in a sentence?

Use "a substantive success" to describe an achievement that is significant and has a real impact. For example, "The new policy was "a substantive success", leading to improved outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "a substantive success"?

Alternatives include "a significant achievement", "a meaningful triumph", or "a considerable accomplishment". Choose the one that best fits the context.

What makes a success "substantive"?

A success is "substantive" when it is not superficial or merely symbolic, but has a real, measurable, and significant impact or effect.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantive success" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "a substantive success" is more suited for formal or professional contexts due to its serious and impactful connotation. Consider using more casual terms in informal settings.