an accomplishment in and of itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an accomplishment in and of itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is a significant achievement on its own, independent of any other factors or accomplishments. Example: "Completing the marathon was an accomplishment in and of itself, regardless of my finishing time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She was pregnant a year later -- which lapse of time, although abbreviated by today's standards, she calls "an accomplishment in and of itself".

The New York Times - Magazine

That's an accomplishment in and of itself.

TechCrunch

DiiFii, an energetic man-child of indeterminate age, reviews GTA: Chinatown Wars on the Nintendo DS with even more arm flailing and karate chopping than usual, which is quite an accomplishment in and of itself.

TechCrunch

"Some men see it as an accomplishment in and of itself".

Huffington Post

The discipline, strength and intensity of training is an accomplishment in and of itself.

Huffington Post

Despite being in the 10th grade, Lawrie was such an outstanding athlete (if not a refined basketball player) that he played at the senior level with boys one and two years older than him (an accomplishment in and of itself).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Not only has she consistently delivered unprecedented perspective on the surveillance state through documentaries like Citizenfour, but her very first solo show is at the Whitney Museum of American Art an accomplishment in and of itself, on top of the immersive and novel way she presents her perception of the world.

Vice

That is no small accomplishment, in and of itself.

Huffington Post

That's quite an accomplishment in this day of partisanship.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1894, Emil Hermann Fischer reached an outstanding accomplishment in the history of chemistry.

Chemical Reviews

This is an accomplishment of PPSUS in the direction of decreasing regional disparities.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an accomplishment in and of itself" to highlight achievements that are significant regardless of external factors or subsequent events. This emphasizes the inherent value and difficulty of the task completed.

Common error

Avoid using "an accomplishment in and of itself" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or formulaic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "an achievement" or "a success" when the emphasis on self-containment isn't crucial.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "an accomplishment in and of itself" is to act as a noun phrase that serves as a predicate nominative or a subject complement, emphasizing the inherent value of the achievement. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is deemed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an accomplishment in and of itself" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the inherent significance of an achievement, independent of external factors. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news media and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, aim to highlight achievements with self-contained value, but avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Alternatives such as "an achievement in itself" or "a feat in its own right" can provide variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feat in its own right

Highlights the impressive nature of the achievement, emphasizing its independent value.

an achievement in itself

Slightly more concise, focusing on the inherent value of the achievement.

a standalone success

Emphasizes the independence of the success from other factors.

a self-contained triumph

Highlights the completeness and independence of the victory.

a remarkable achievement on its own merits

Focuses on the intrinsic qualities that make the achievement noteworthy.

significant in its own capacity

Emphasizes the inherent significance without external dependencies.

valuable independent of other factors

Directly states the independence of the achievement's value.

a worthy endeavor by itself

Emphasizes the value and worthiness of the undertaking alone.

substantial on its own account

Highlights the considerable nature of the accomplishment when considered alone.

a notable accomplishment standing alone

Focuses on the noteworthiness of the achievement without additional context.

FAQs

How can I use "an accomplishment in and of itself" in a sentence?

You can use "an accomplishment in and of itself" to emphasize that something is a significant achievement, irrespective of other related factors. For example: "Completing the project on time was "an accomplishment in and of itself", given the limited resources."

What are some alternatives to "an accomplishment in and of itself"?

Alternatives include "an achievement in itself", "a feat in its own right", or "a standalone success". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "an accomplishment in and of itself"?

While it might seem redundant, the phrase "an accomplishment in and of itself" emphasizes that the achievement is significant on its own, without needing further validation or comparison. The phrase is used for emphasis, so it can be useful in specific contexts.

What is the difference between "an accomplishment" and "an accomplishment in and of itself"?

"An accomplishment" simply denotes something achieved. Adding "in and of itself" stresses that the accomplishment's value and importance are self-contained and not dependent on external factors or results.