incremental success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incremental success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of small achievements that lead to a larger goal or outcome. Example: "The project was challenging, but we achieved incremental success with each phase completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"It's about incremental success," he said.

The New York Times

For us, we really do need even an incremental success.

The New York Times

The label is building on almost a decade of incremental success.

The New York Times

NATO adjusted its objectives to developments on the ground, worked for incremental success without raising exaggerated expectations.

The New York Times

The helicopter saw incremental success in many countries, and the following short review will highlight only those whose contributions were ultimately found in successfully developed helicopters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But we saw the funding commitment as an incremental success, a critical first step toward putting Metro on a safe, smart and sustainable path but far from a panacea.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Offer rewards as he achieves incremental successes.

Columbia University

Mrs. Clinton's work has been defined more by incremental successes than by moments of transformational change.

The New York Times

Only when it had a string of incremental successes under its belt did it launch the stretch goal effort, which led to an early and dramatic success.

Harvard Business Review

By examining the incremental successes that some African nations have already achieved and An-Na'im reveals the contingent role that Islam has to play in this process.

University of Pennsylvania

He will examine the incremental successes that some African nations have achieved in recent years which reveal a potentially crucial role for Islam in the development of constitutionalism.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incremental success" when you want to highlight that progress is being made in small steps. It's particularly effective in situations where large, sweeping changes are not immediately possible.

Common error

Avoid using "incremental success" when describing a massive or revolutionary change. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where progress is steady but gradual, not sudden or transformative.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incremental success" is as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or as a complement. As shown in Ludwig, it is a phrase often employed to describe a gradual process of achieving goals through small, measurable steps.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incremental success" is a noun phrase that describes gradual progress made through small, measurable steps. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic sources, denoting a neutral register. To emphasize consistent but measured improvements, related phrases like "gradual achievement" or "step-by-step progress" can be used. When using the phrase, avoid overstating its impact by applying it to large, transformative changes instead of steady, gradual advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradual achievement

Focuses on the slowness and steadiness of the achievement rather than the step-by-step nature of the success.

step-by-step progress

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the advancement, highlighting each individual step.

progressive gains

Highlights the accumulating benefits over time, with a focus on the outcome of each stage.

steady advancement

Focuses on the continuous and stable nature of the forward movement.

small wins

Emphasizes the individual, manageable victories that contribute to a larger goal.

marginal improvements

Focuses on the small degree of positive change, suggesting that gains may be slight but significant.

measured progress

Highlights the controlled and deliberate nature of the advancement.

bit-by-bit success

Stresses the piecemeal nature of the achievement, suggesting a gradual accumulation of positive results.

evolutionary growth

Compares the progress to a natural, unfolding process, suggesting organic development over time.

inching forward

Emphasizes the slow and often difficult process of making progress, suggesting that advancement is achieved with effort.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "incremental success" in a sentence?

Use "incremental success" to describe situations where progress is achieved gradually through a series of small steps, rather than through large, sweeping changes. For example, "The project achieved "incremental success" as each phase was completed on time and within budget."

What are some alternatives to saying "incremental success"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "gradual achievement", "step-by-step progress", or "progressive gains".

Is it appropriate to use "incremental success" in a formal setting?

Yes, "incremental success" is suitable for formal settings such as business reports, academic papers, and professional presentations. It conveys a sense of steady, measurable progress.

What's the difference between "incremental success" and "sudden breakthrough"?

"Incremental success" refers to gradual progress achieved through small steps, while "sudden breakthrough" implies a significant and immediate advancement. They are contrasting concepts; one is slow and steady, the other is rapid and transformative.