partial success

USAGE SUMMARY

"partial success" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to the attainment of just part of a goal. For example, "After months of hard work, the team achieved only partial success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They had partial success.

The New York Times

That makes Kerala "only a partial success".

The Economist

Integration has been only a partial success.

The Economist

It was at least a partial success.

The Guardian - Sport

The results were a partial success.

The Guardian - Business

Two other missions achieved partial success.

The Guardian

(I tried the envelopes system, with partial success, last year).

The Guardian

This time there is no room for partial success.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, they were often essential to even partial success.

The Guardian

But partial success is the best they can hope for.

The New York Times

The approach appears to have had partial success.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "partial success" to convey nuanced outcomes, where progress has been made but the ultimate objective remains unfulfilled. This avoids overstating achievements and provides an honest assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "partial success" when the outcome is overwhelmingly negative. Opt for phrases like "limited impact" or "negligible effect" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partial success" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing a state or outcome where some positive results have been achieved, but the overall goal has not been fully realized. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a common phrase. Examples include "Integration has been only a partial success" or "The results were a partial success."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partial success" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe outcomes that are neither complete failures nor resounding victories. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in a wide range of contexts, from news reports to scientific analyses. Related phrases include "limited triumph" and "qualified victory". When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of achievement and avoid overstating the positive aspects of the situation. The phrase's widespread use across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian further validates its appropriateness in formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited triumph

Indicates success, but with constraints or limits.

qualified victory

Suggests a win, but with reservations or conditions attached.

incomplete achievement

Highlights the attainment of something, but not in its entirety.

moderate accomplishment

Implies a satisfactory outcome that is neither exceptional nor minimal.

mixed results

Signifies a combination of positive and negative outcomes.

some headway

Highlights progress made, even if the final goal is not yet reached.

limited gains

Indicates advancement or increase, but with restrictions.

relative advancement

Denotes forward movement, but dependent on comparison or circumstance.

constrained progress

Shows movement forward, yet with limitations or controls.

marginal improvement

Signals slight betterment, typically not a significant change.

FAQs

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

"Partial success" is used to describe situations where some goals were achieved, but not all. For example, "The project achieved "partial success", with some milestones completed on time but others delayed".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "partial success"?

Alternatives to "partial success" include "limited triumph", "qualified victory", or "incomplete achievement". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a partial success" or simply "partial success"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "partial success" is more common. Using "a partial success" emphasizes the instance of success, whereas "partial success" refers to the general state or concept.

What's the difference between "partial success" and "complete success"?

"Partial success" implies that some goals were met, while others were not. "Complete success" means all goals were achieved fully and effectively.