defining success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defining success" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing what constitutes success in various contexts, such as personal goals, business objectives, or academic achievements. For example, "Defining success for our team involves setting clear, measurable goals." Alternative expressions include "establishing success" and "determining success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Guerrero was vague in defining success.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, some officials are defining success down.

The New York Times

Defining success is no small matter.

Harvard Business Review

Defining success after spinal surgery remains problematic.

The Spine Journal

ALEX KOPPELMAN: So: how are we defining success for Obama?

The New Yorker

But defining success by stock market returns introduces other problems.

Harvard Business Review

Of course, this would also mean defining success beforehand.

Harvard Business Review

It all starts with defining success as value, not profit.

The New York Times

It indicates that women are defining success in their own terms and making their own choices.

The New York Times

The culture in many prosecutors' offices encourages nondisclosure by defining success as winning at trial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But I would say that the true answer lies in re-defining success, for both men and women.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "defining success", be specific and measurable. Avoid vague or subjective criteria that are difficult to assess objectively.

Common error

Don't confuse activity with actual progress. Many teams focus on being busy rather than "defining success" based on meaningful outcomes and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defining success" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in introducing the criteria for evaluating outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defining success" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the act of establishing criteria for achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. To ensure effective communication, consider specifying measurable and achievable goals when "defining success". Avoid the common pitfall of confusing activity with actual progress by focusing on meaningful outcomes. Using alternative phrases like "establishing success criteria" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishing success criteria

Focuses on setting specific metrics to measure achievement, adding a layer of detail.

setting benchmarks for success

Emphasizes creating standards against which to evaluate performance.

determining what constitutes success

Highlights the process of deciding the components of achievement.

identifying key success factors

Shifts the focus to pinpointing elements critical for a positive outcome.

establishing measures of success

Similar to "establishing success criteria" but emphasizes the act of measuring.

articulating a vision of success

Highlights the communication aspect of establishing what success looks like.

outlining success parameters

Focuses on the boundaries and conditions that define a successful outcome.

framing the concept of success

Suggests a broader perspective, shaping how success is understood.

devising a success framework

Implies creating a structured system to achieve and measure success.

conceptualizing success

Highlights the mental process of forming an idea of what success means.

FAQs

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

You can use "defining success" to introduce the criteria or metrics by which a particular endeavor will be judged. For example, "Defining success for this project requires meeting all deadlines and staying within budget."

What are some alternatives to "defining success"?

Alternatives include "establishing success criteria", "setting benchmarks for success", or "determining what constitutes success", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Why is "defining success" important?

"Defining success" helps to align expectations, focus efforts, and create a clear path towards achieving desired outcomes. Without a clear definition, it's difficult to measure progress or determine if goals have been met.

What are the key components to consider when "defining success"?

When "defining success", consider making the criteria specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This ensures that the definition is practical and actionable.