it was a success

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was a success" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a positive outcome of an event or task, such as: After months of planning, the team finally launched their app and it was a success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a success.

The New Yorker

So it was a success".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a success," he wrote.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lucky for us, it was a success".

The New York Times

Instead, it was a success.

The New York Times - Science

It was a success at the time.

The Guardian - Books

"Apparently it was a success," he said.

The New York Times

It was a success, of sorts.

The Guardian

"It was a success," Mr. Langer said.

The New York Times

Mr. Thompson said it was a success.

The New York Times

It was a success for Reid too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it was a success" with specific details about the achievement to provide a more compelling narrative. For example, instead of just saying "it was a success", say "The marketing campaign exceeded expectations, and it was a success, boosting sales by 30%."

Common error

Avoid using "it was a success" without a clear reference to what "it" refers to. Ensure the subject of the sentence is explicitly stated or easily understood from the context to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a success" serves as a statement of fact, indicating that a particular endeavor, event, or project achieved a favorable outcome. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples demonstrate its role in summarizing the results of various activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was a success" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something achieved a positive outcome. According to Ludwig, it is widely used across various reputable sources, including news media and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, always make sure that the subject of the phrase, the "it", is clearly defined in context. While versatile, it's beneficial to sometimes use alternatives like "it proved fruitful" or "it turned out well" for variety and nuance. Remember that using the right terminology strengthens your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it turned out well

Emphasizes the favorable conclusion of an event or situation.

it came off well

Focuses on how well something was received or executed.

it proved fruitful

Focuses on the positive result or outcome being productive or beneficial.

it bore fruit

Highlights the outcome as a reward or product of previous efforts.

it yielded positive results

Highlights the generation of favorable outcomes or consequences.

it achieved its goal

Highlights accomplishment of a pre-defined objective or aim.

it accomplished its purpose

Emphasizes the fulfillment of an intended function or objective.

it was a triumph

Suggests a significant victory or achievement.

it flourished

Emphasizes a state of thriving or vigorous growth and development.

it went according to plan

Conveys that the event unfolded as intended, leading to a successful result.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a success" in a sentence?

Use "it was a success" to clearly state that something achieved a positive outcome. For example, "The project was completed on time, and "it was a success"".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was a success"?

You can use alternatives like "it proved fruitful", "it turned out well", or "it achieved its goal" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was a success"?

Yes, "it was a success" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate a positive outcome.

What does "it came off well" mean, and how is it different from "it was a success"?

"It came off well" emphasizes that something was well-received or executed, while ""it was a success"" more broadly indicates that something achieved a positive outcome. The nuance is in focusing on reception versus overall result.