be a success

USAGE SUMMARY

"be a success" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to express the idea of achieving success or being successful in something. Example: "John worked hard every day to be a success in his career as a lawyer." In this example, the phrase "be a success" is used as an action or goal that John is actively working towards. It implies that he wants to achieve success in his career as a lawyer. Other examples: - "I hope my business will be a success in the coming year." - "To be a success in the music industry, you need to have a strong online presence." - "Her determination to be a success in life is what motivates her to keep pushing forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will it be a success?

The New York Times - Sports

"That would be a success".

The New York Times

He'll be a success".

The Guardian - Sport

It will not be a success".

The New Yorker

The clothes seemed to be a success.

The New Yorker

The program appears to be a success.

The New York Times - Science

You have to be a success.

Independent

Will KidZania be a success?

The Guardian - Travel

"2015 will be a success.

The Guardian

We need this to be a success".

The Guardian

"But he decided to be a success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be a success" to express a desired outcome or goal. It effectively conveys the aspiration for something to turn out positively. For example, "We hope this project will be a success."

Common error

Avoid treating "be a success" as a noun. It's a phrase that expresses a state or outcome, not a thing. Incorrect: "Success is be a success." Correct: "Success is to be a success."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a success" functions as a predicate nominative, expressing a desired state or outcome. Ludwig AI data confirms this is grammatically correct and commonly used, serving to describe an aspired result or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be a success" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to articulate the aspiration for a positive outcome or state of achievement. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in Wiki and formal business environments. When using the phrase, ensure it correctly expresses the desired result and avoid treating it as a noun. Consider using alternatives like "achieve success" for a more formal tone or "fulfill one's potential" to emphasize personal growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve success

Replaces "be" with "achieve", emphasizing the action of gaining success.

become successful

Shifts from a state to an adjective describing the outcome.

flourish

Uses a more vivid verb to imply thriving and succeeding.

triumph

Suggests a significant victory or achievement.

prosper

Focuses on material success and well-being.

make it big

An idiom implying significant success and recognition.

reach the top

Implies achieving the highest level of success.

attain prominence

Focuses on gaining recognition and importance.

fulfill one's potential

Emphasizes maximizing one's abilities and achieving personal success.

realize one's ambitions

Highlights the achievement of long-term goals.

FAQs

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

You can use "be a success" to express the desired outcome or hope for a positive result. For example: "We want this new product to be a success", or "The key to happiness is to "be true to yourself".

What's a more formal way to say "be a success"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "achieve success", "attain prominence", or "become successful" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be a success" or "being a success"?

"Be a success" is used to express a future aspiration or potential outcome. "Being a success" is typically used to describe the state of currently experiencing success. Both are correct, but they have different uses.

What are some alternatives to "be a success" that emphasize personal fulfillment?

If you want to emphasize personal fulfillment, consider using phrases like "fulfill one's potential" or "realize one's ambitions", which highlight achieving personal goals and maximizing abilities.