hard-won accomplishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard-won accomplishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an achievement that has been gained through significant effort, struggle, or perseverance. Example: "After years of dedication and hard work, earning my degree was a hard-won accomplishment that I will always cherish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Henkin's intimacy with both love and literature leaves his readers wondering which is the most hard-won accomplishment.

The New York Times - Books

For EMI, the Beatles and Apple Inc. — and particularly for Steven P. Jobs, Apple's chief executive — getting the Beatles' music online was a hard-won accomplishment.

The New York Times

All day on Facebook, people were commenting on Nyad's incredible feat -- sharing how inspiring they found her determination, celebrating her hard-won accomplishment, noting how extraordinary her achievement is.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A scene of hard-won joy extremely hard-won joy in a snowy, bloody wood.

The New Yorker

In other ways, we are just on Wee Dude Time, and each hard-won micro-accomplishment is worthy of fanfare and social media updates (which brings an onslaught of human connection): his dimpled smiles, throaty laughs, grumpy eyebrows, when he started sitting again or purposefully reaching at toys or standing in his gait trainer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Happiness then was not some hard-won spiritual attainment.

The New York Times

She is nourished not by literary accomplishment but by her hard-won capacity to speak out and take possession of her own life.

The New York Times - Books

If the reality of soft bigotry does not today pose an existential threat to Mormons as explicit oppression once did, it would nevertheless undercut the hard-won public face of Mormonism as a distinctively American religion characterized by worldly accomplishment.

The New York Times - Magazine

A sacrifice of hard-won dignity?

The New York Times

But the path was hard-won.

The New York Times

The triumph was hard-won.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard-won accomplishment" to underscore the difficulty and persistence required to achieve a particular goal. This highlights not only the success itself but also the journey and effort involved.

Common error

Avoid using "hard-won accomplishment" excessively. While it effectively conveys the effort behind an achievement, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard-won accomplishment" functions as a noun phrase, where "hard-won" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "accomplishment". This structure emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in achieving the accomplishment. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard-won accomplishment" effectively describes an achievement attained through significant effort and perseverance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily found in news and media. While not exceptionally frequent, its usage is clear and consistently applied. Alternatives such as "hard-earned success" and "achievement through struggle" offer similar nuances, allowing for varied expression. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely warrants highlighting the difficulty of the achievement to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard-won triumph

Synonymous, but uses the word "triumph" for a slightly more celebratory tone.

hard-gained triumph

Similar to 'hard-won accomplishment' but utilizes 'gained' and 'triumph' to slightly alter the tone.

hard-earned success

Emphasizes the effort ('hard-earned') leading to a positive outcome ('success').

triumph after adversity

Focuses on overcoming challenges ('adversity') to achieve victory ('triumph').

achievement through struggle

Highlights the difficult process ('struggle') involved in attaining something ('achievement').

hard-fought victory

Implies a competitive or conflict-filled path to success ('victory').

achievement after sacrifice

Focuses on the sacrifices made to obtain the accomplishment.

laborious achievement

Stresses the demanding and time-consuming nature ('laborious') of the accomplishment.

well-deserved success

Emphasizes the deserving nature of the success, implying the effort was worthwhile.

difficult feat

Highlights the challenging nature of the accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "hard-won accomplishment" in a sentence?

You can use "hard-won accomplishment" to describe any achievement that required significant effort and perseverance. For example, "Earning her PhD after years of research was a "hard-won accomplishment"."

What are some alternatives to "hard-won accomplishment"?

Alternatives include "hard-earned success", "hard-gained triumph", or "achievement through struggle". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "hard-won accomplishment" formal or informal?

"Hard-won accomplishment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards formal due to its descriptive nature. It is commonly found in news and media.

What makes an accomplishment "hard-won"?

An accomplishment is considered "hard-won" when it is achieved after significant challenges, setbacks, or sustained effort. The phrase emphasizes the difficulty of the journey and the resilience required to reach the goal.