making success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making success" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the process of achieving success, but it is better to use more established phrases. Example: "She is focused on making success a reality for her business through hard work and dedication."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It is a gambit that could go either way, making success all the more important.

The New York Times

Those goals were always optimistic, making success on the pitch ever more critical.

Independent

These movers and shakers didn't achieve success by making success their goal.

Harvard University

Global summits don't deliver success – but they're a prerequisite for making success possible.

The Guardian

The Paralympics erase difference by making success in sport a universal possibility regardless of physical condition.

The Telegraph

I have only one understanding of development and of making success and that's by going step by step.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Such a move would emphasize the past star-making success of the series.

The New York Times

Such epoch-making success in television often has a price, and it did so in the case of Nyree Dawn Porter.

The Guardian

After all, nowadays, seemingly every company got its ethical-hand-sourced-handcrafted start from a liberal arts major with a dream of "disrupting" their way to coffee/clothing/terrarium-making success.

The Washington Post

It's character that makes success".

The New Yorker

He made success sound inevitable.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making success", ensure the context clearly indicates the active creation or facilitation of a successful outcome.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "making success" when more precise verbs like "achieving", "attaining", or "securing" would better convey the intended meaning. Vary your vocabulary to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making success" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of creating or facilitating success. According to Ludwig, the phrase is not incorrect, but it suggests that it could be awkward in certain contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making success" functions as a gerund phrase describing the act of creating or facilitating a positive outcome. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests that stronger alternatives like "achieving success" or "ensuring success" are often preferred for a more impactful and polished tone. The phrase is adaptable across neutral and professional registers and frequently occurs in news and media contexts. When using "making success", ensure the context clearly indicates the active creation or facilitation of a successful outcome. Choosing stronger, more precise alternatives can enhance clarity and sophistication in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving success

Focuses on the accomplishment or attainment of success.

attaining success

Similar to achieving success, but may imply a more deliberate or strategic effort.

securing success

Highlights the effort to protect and ensure success is maintained.

ensuring success

Emphasizes the actions taken to guarantee a positive outcome.

fostering success

Suggests creating an environment or conditions that promote success.

driving success

Implies actively leading or pushing towards a successful result.

building success

Focuses on the gradual creation or development of success over time.

creating success

Highlights the innovative or inventive aspect of achieving a positive outcome.

facilitating success

Suggests making it easier for someone or something to succeed.

promoting success

Emphasizes the active support and encouragement of success.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "making success"?

Alternatives include "achieving success", "attaining success", "ensuring success", or "securing success". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "making success" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "making success" can sound less polished than alternatives. It's often more effective to use verbs that more directly convey the action of achieving a positive outcome.

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

You can use "making success" when you want to emphasize the process of creating or facilitating success, as in "She is focused on making success a reality for her business".

What is the difference between "making success" and "achieving success"?

"Achieving success" focuses on the result, the accomplishment of something. "Making success" implies actively working to create or enable the conditions for success to occur. For example, you might say, "She is focused on "achieving success" in her career", or "She is dedicated to "making success" possible for her team".