not only successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only successful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that something is successful while also indicating that there is more to the situation or context, often in conjunction with "but also." Example: "The project was not only successful, but it also exceeded our expectations in terms of budget and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The Nets are not only successful, but also suddenly stylish.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, Google has always wanted to be not only successful, but also to be loved.

The Guardian - Tech

Not only successful in business but in life, family and love.

The New York Times

Jews were not only successful businessmen, but also prominent university professors, journalists and doctors.

The Washington Post

The study shows that this new approach is not only successful but remarkably accurate.

MIT Technology Review

Compaq was not only successful but showed other firms how to compete with IBM.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

I think it's a perfectly viable model and has produced many games that aren't only successful, but are genuinely enjoyable as well.

Forbes

"My own personal definition of success involves not only being successful professionally but also having time for my personal life," says Saunders.

HuffPost

We envisage that successful incorporation of a horizontally transferred gene needs not only its successful transcription and translation, but also its integration into the existing functional cellular network.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Dati is not only a successful lawyer and businesswoman, she is a politician.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like Mr. Clinton, Mr. Bush is not only phenomenally successful at raising cash, but seems to like doing it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not only successful", ensure that the "but also" clause provides a meaningful and distinct addition. Avoid stating something obvious or redundant in the second part of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid ending the sentence after "not only successful". The phrase implies there's more to the situation, so the "but also" clause is essential to fulfill the expectation set by the first part of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only successful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It emphasizes that success is not the sole attribute or achievement, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples. It sets an expectation for additional information or qualities to follow.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not only successful" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that something has achieved success and possesses additional positive attributes. Ludwig AI confirms this, based on a variety of sources. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it is important to ensure the "but also" clause provides a meaningful addition to the description. Alternatives like "successful and more" or "not just successful" can be used for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just successful

Replaces "only" with "just", offering a slightly less formal tone.

more than just successful

Emphasizes the extent beyond simple success.

successful and more

This option is shorter but lacks the emphasis on the 'more' aspect that 'not only' provides.

successful and also

Simplifies the structure while maintaining the core meaning.

remarkably successful and

Adds an intensifier to 'successful' while maintaining the 'and' to express additional attributes.

successful in addition to

This phrase changes the structure, making "successful" the primary adjective and introducing an additional element.

successful as well as

Changes the conjunction but retains the core meaning.

not solely successful

Highlights that success is not the single or only attribute.

not exclusively successful

This alternative highlights that success is not the only attribute.

achieved success and

Replaces "successful" with "achieved success", focusing on the accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "not only successful" in a sentence?

Use "not only successful" to emphasize achievements along with additional qualities or outcomes. For example: "The business was "not only successful", but it also contributed significantly to the local community."

What are some alternatives to "not only successful"?

You can use alternatives such as "successful and more", "not just successful", or "more than just successful" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not only successful but"?

While "not only successful but" is understandable, it's incomplete. The full structure is "not only successful, but also..." requiring a subsequent element to complete the thought.

What's the difference between "not only successful" and "successful"?

"Successful" simply describes the achievement of a desired outcome. "Not only successful" indicates that in addition to achieving success, there are other noteworthy aspects or accomplishments to consider, creating a stronger and more nuanced statement.