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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
prevailed with
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "prevailed with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey the idea of succeeding in persuading or convincing someone, but the correct preposition should be "upon" or "over." Example: "She prevailed upon him to reconsider his decision."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
58 human-written examples
Eventually, Spain prevailed with a gorgeous selfishness.
News & Media
H.P. prevailed with a $2 billion offer.
News & Media
Mittal prevailed with an offer of $4.8 billion.
News & Media
In the end McGwire prevailed with 70, to Sosa's 66.
News & Media
Mr. Rapert prevailed with 54 percent of the vote.
News & Media
Mr. Frankel eventually prevailed, with Little Edie's blessing.
News & Media
Over all, that view prevailed with the board.
News & Media
Texas defended its system and prevailed, with the support of all four Nixon appointees.
News & Media
In Tunisia and Egypt political freedom seems to have prevailed, with relative ease, amid popular joy.
News & Media
Stephens hit the flashy winners, but Williams prevailed with superior discipline, will and tactical acumen.
News & Media
Sometimes, they prevailed with some odd Celtic bounces helping the cause.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing how someone succeeded, use stronger verbs like "triumphed", "excelled", or "conquered" followed by prepositions like "through", "by", or "via" for clearer and more impactful writing.
Common error
Avoid using "with" after "prevailed" as it often creates grammatically awkward sentences. Instead, opt for prepositions like "upon" or "over", or rephrase to use verbs like "succeeded" or "triumphed" for better clarity.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "prevailed with" functions as a verb phrase aiming to describe how someone or something achieved success, often implying the use of a specific method or means. However, according to Ludwig AI, the grammatical correctness is disputable.
Frequent in
News & Media
70%
Wiki
10%
Encyclopedias
10%
Less common in
Science
5%
Formal & Business
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "prevailed with" is commonly used, appearing in numerous contexts, primarily in news and media. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically questionable. It aims to explain the means by which success was achieved, but grammatical correctness is debated. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, consider using alternative phrases like "succeeded through" or "achieved victory via", or restructuring your sentence to avoid the prepositional awkwardness. While its prevalence suggests common usage, prioritizing grammatical precision will enhance your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
succeeded by means of
Replaces "prevailed" with "succeeded" and uses "by means of" to indicate the method.
triumphed through
Emphasizes victory using "triumphed" and specifies the method with "through".
achieved victory via
Highlights the accomplishment of victory and uses "via" to show the pathway.
was victorious thanks to
Expresses victory and attributes it to something specific.
won through the use of
Clearly states winning and specifies the method or tool used.
overcame challenges utilizing
Highlights overcoming obstacles by using a specific method or resource.
obtained success leveraging
Uses more formal language to describe gaining success by leveraging something.
gained the upper hand using
Focuses on gaining an advantage and specifies what was used to achieve it.
conquered by applying
Suggests overcoming a significant challenge through the application of something.
secured a win employing
Focuses on securing a victory through the employment of specific tactics or resources.
FAQs
Is "prevailed with" grammatically correct?
According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "prevailed with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct preposition would be "upon" or "over". Alternatives like "succeeded through" or "triumphed with" might be more appropriate depending on the context.
What are some alternatives to "prevailed with"?
Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "succeeded through", "achieved victory via", or "won through the use of". Choosing the right alternative depends on what you want to emphasize: the success itself, the method used, or the opposition overcome.
How can I use "prevailed" correctly in a sentence?
You can use "prevailed" correctly by following it with prepositions like "upon" or "over", or by rephrasing the sentence entirely. For example, "She prevailed upon him to reconsider" or "Despite the odds, justice prevailed".
What is the difference between "prevailed" and "succeeded"?
"Prevailed" implies overcoming opposition or difficulties, whereas "succeeded" simply means achieving a desired outcome. You might say "She succeeded in getting the job" but "She prevailed against her competitors to get the job" if there was significant competition.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested