personal success

USAGE SUMMARY

"personal success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to achievements that are meaningful and rewarding to a person individually, such as getting a promotion at work or reaching a personal goal. For example: "The hard work she put in to achieve her personal success was inspiring to the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She prides herself on balancing personal success with charity.

The New York Times

Such rhetoric is a personal success for Mr Fratzscher.

The Economist

Northern Ireland remains his greatest single personal success.

The Guardian - Opinion

"'He's probably reached the highest level of his personal success.

The New York Times

Nor is ugliness any impediment to personal success.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are hardly the most positive, and are unlikely to bring personal success.

Independent

As a tale of personal success, Menon's skyward trajectory is in itself remarkable.

Independent

But amid prosperous donors, he omitted the jab about Mr. Romney's "personal success".

The New York Times

Globalization has made Americanesque behavior a ticket to personal success globally.

The New York Times

He said the university's graduation rates had no direct bearing on his personal success.

The New York Times

But I tend to believe that personal success is much more elusive than that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify "personal success" whenever possible. Using metrics and examples makes the concept more tangible and relatable.

Common error

Avoid using "personal success" when the context refers to broader, collective achievements. "Personal success" should highlight individual accomplishments, not group endeavors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal success" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes the attainment of goals or achievements that are meaningful to an individual. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal success" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that describes individual achievements and accomplishments. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide variety of contexts, from news reports to casual conversations. While closely related to concepts like professional achievement and happiness, "personal success" focuses specifically on the attainment of individually meaningful goals. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects individual accomplishments, avoiding confusion with collective success. Common alternatives include "individual achievement" and "self-fulfillment". Remember to be specific and quantify the elements of "personal success" to make your communication more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect, highlighting a single person's victory.

professional accomplishment

Emphasizes achievements in a work-related environment.

triumph over adversity

Highlights overcoming challenges to achieve success, adding an element of struggle.

reaching one's potential

Implies fulfilling inherent capabilities and aspirations.

self-fulfillment

Centers on a sense of satisfaction and contentment derived from one's endeavors.

personal growth

Emphasizes the process of development and improvement leading to success.

career advancement

Specifically refers to upward mobility in one's professional life.

achieving aspirations

Highlights the realization of specific goals and desires.

personal best

Refers to exceeding one's own previous performance or standards.

self-realization

Focuses on achieving a deep understanding of oneself and one's purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal success" to describe individual achievements and accomplishments. For example: "Her dedication and hard work led to her remarkable "personal success" in the field of medicine."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "individual achievement", "professional accomplishment", or "self-fulfillment".

What is the difference between "personal success" and "professional success"?

"Personal success" encompasses achievements in all aspects of life, whereas "professional success" specifically relates to accomplishments in one's career.

How is "personal success" different from "happiness"?

"Personal success" generally refers to achieving specific goals and milestones, while "happiness" is a broader emotional state of well-being and contentment, although they can be interconnected.