an unprecedented success

USAGE SUMMARY

'an unprecedented success' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example Sentence: His first novel was an unprecedented success, and he received international acclaim.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Yet one was a flop, the other an unprecedented success.

Independent

America's Army has been an unprecedented success, boasting 10,063,499 registered players (including this author).

Independent

Has India's growth and development been an "unprecedented success or extraordinary failure," ask Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen in Outlook Magazine this week.

The New York Times

The first two volumes appeared in 1849 and achieved an unprecedented success, edition after edition selling well both in Britain and in the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's a picture only a social Darwinist could describe as "an unprecedented success" — which is the phrase Congressman Paul Ryan, who authored the Republican budget plan, uses to describe welfare reform.

The New Yorker

Shown in 250 countries, the period drama has been an unprecedented success, especially in the US where it has become the most watched PBS drama in the channel's history.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the XXIX Olympiad, called the ceremony "a grand, unprecedented success".

Wikipedia

But there is no mention of Sir Anthony McCoy, an insightful contributor on Channel 4 since ending a career of unprecedented success as a jump jockey in 2015.

The Guardian - Sport

In many ways, it was his greatest result, but two years later he retired, having made very little money from the sport, despite a decade of unprecedented success for a British rider.

BBC

A season of unprecedented success came to an emphatic conclusion shortly after 4.30pm on Saturday when Marcus Trescothick drilled the third ball of England's second innings through the off side to complete a 10-wicket win, a 4-0 series whitewash of West Indies and a clean sweep of all seven of the summer's Tests after their earlier successes against New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

Juan Antonio Samaranch, a dominant figure in the modern Olympic movement who over 21 years guided the Games from a period of boycotts and near bankruptcy to an era of unprecedented success and damaging scandal, died on Wednesday in his home city, Barcelona, Spain.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unprecedented success" to emphasize that something has never been achieved before, highlighting its unique and groundbreaking nature. Consider providing context as to why the success is unprecedented.

Common error

Avoid using "an unprecedented success" casually. Ensure the achievement genuinely warrants this description by providing evidence or context to support the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unprecedented success" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. It describes something that has achieved a level of accomplishment never before seen. As Ludwig indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unprecedented success" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something that has achieved a unique and remarkable outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase functions as a noun phrase and commonly appears in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the achievement truly merits this description and provide context to substantiate the claim. While alternatives like ""an unrivalled success"" or ""an extraordinary success"" exist, "an unprecedented success" emphasizes the novelty and groundbreaking nature of the achievement, making it a powerful tool for communicating exceptional accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unrivalled success

This alternative focuses on the lack of competition or peers, emphasizing the uniqueness of the achievement.

an unparalleled success

Similar to "an unrivalled success", this emphasizes that the success has no equal in history.

an unsurpassed success

Highlights the idea that no previous achievement has been better than the described success.

a phenomenal accomplishment

This highlights the exceptional and remarkable nature of the achievement, suggesting it is extraordinary.

an unexpected success

This variation highlights the element of surprise, suggesting the success was not predicted or anticipated.

an extraordinary success

This phrase stresses the exceptional and remarkable nature of the success.

a resounding triumph

This alternative emphasizes the overwhelming and decisive nature of the success.

a landmark achievement

Shifts the focus to the lasting impact and historical significance of the accomplishment.

a spectacular victory

Focuses on the impressive and visually striking aspects of the successful outcome.

a watershed moment

Indicates that the success represents a turning point or significant shift in a particular context.

FAQs

How can I use "an unprecedented success" in a sentence?

Use "an unprecedented success" to describe something that has never happened before and has achieved a remarkable outcome. For example: "The company's new product launch was "an unprecedented success", exceeding all sales projections."

What are some alternatives to saying "an unprecedented success"?

You can use alternatives like "an unrivalled success", "an extraordinary success", or "a landmark achievement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a unprecedented success" instead of "an unprecedented success"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. "Unprecedented" begins with a vowel sound, so the indefinite article "an" is required instead of "a".

What distinguishes "an unprecedented success" from "a significant achievement"?

"An unprecedented success" emphasizes the uniqueness and novelty of the achievement, suggesting it has never been accomplished before. "A significant achievement" simply highlights the importance and impact of the accomplishment, without necessarily implying it is new or unique.