prosper on

USAGE SUMMARY

"Prosper on" is not a standard phrase in written English. It is not commonly used and may sound awkward to native speakers. An example could be: "They hope to prosper on their new business venture." Alternative expressions include "thrive in," "succeed in," and "flourish in."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Anderson, at least for the eight minutes it took for him to bowl his ninth over, had demonstrated his special ability to prosper on brown pitches.

The Guardian - Sport

Best betting is that, despite bomb scares like that at the Grand National, and any further ones before polling day, Sinn Fein will prosper on May 1st.If the IRA were to return to killing people in England, things would be different.

The Economist

It can prosper on its own.

The Guardian

The conspiracy theorists should stop meaningless speculation and let Pakistan prosper on the economic front.

The New York Times

With the deal announced on Friday, Activision Blizzard is betting it can prosper on its own.

The New York Times

One senses that he would prosper on the other side of the law.

The New Yorker

Osborne, genial in person, does not prosper on television (and knows it).

The Guardian - Opinion

Without TV exposure, it's hard to prosper on the mainstream live circuit.

The Guardian

"Developed countries need to show a modern economy can prosper on low greenhouse-gas emissions," he said.

Independent

Copenhagen, however, continued to prosper on the profits from tolls exacted from passing shipping, until tolls were abolished in 1857.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cheon H. Park ran a company that had begun to prosper on government contracts, but he had bigger ambitions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prosper on", ensure the context clearly indicates what is providing the basis for success. For instance, "The company can "prosper on" innovation and strategic partnerships."

Common error

Avoid using "prosper on" without clearly defining the foundation or source that enables the success. It's important to specify what's fueling the prosperity; otherwise, the sentence becomes vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prosper on" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the source or foundation upon which success or growth is built. It describes how something thrives or achieves positive outcomes, relying on a specific condition or resource. It's commonly found in journalistic or analytical writing, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prosper on" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that describes how something succeeds or thrives because of a particular factor or resource. According to Ludwig, it is generally grammatically acceptable and frequently found in news and media sources, as well as encyclopedias and scientific publications. While alternative phrases like "thrive on" or "capitalize on" may offer slightly different nuances, "prosper on" effectively conveys the idea of deriving success from a specific foundation. When using the phrase, it is crucial to clearly identify the source that enables the prosperity, ensuring clarity and avoiding vagueness. Examples show that the phrase is frequently used to describe businesses, economies, and even individuals who are flourishing due to specific conditions or strategies. It's a versatile phrase that adds precision and insight to discussions about success and growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thrive on

Emphasizes a vigorous and healthy growth or development due to something.

capitalize on

Highlights the act of taking advantage of something to achieve success.

benefit from

Focuses on receiving advantages or gains from a particular situation or resource.

flourish because of

Suggests a rich and vigorous development directly caused by something.

succeed through

Implies achieving success as a result of a specific method or approach.

gain from

Highlights the acquisition of something positive as a result of something else.

make the most of

Emphasizes fully utilizing something to achieve a positive outcome.

take advantage of

Focuses on leveraging an opportunity or resource for personal gain.

grow from

Suggests that something has enabled one to develop or improve

progress using

Indicates advancement or improvement through a particular means or method.

FAQs

How can I use "prosper on" in a sentence?

Use "prosper on" to indicate that someone or something thrives or succeeds because of a specific factor or condition. For example, "The business can "prosper on" its strong customer base."

What are some alternatives to "prosper on"?

You can use alternatives like "thrive on", "capitalize on", or "benefit from" depending on the context. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance regarding the source and nature of the success.

Is it grammatically correct to use "prosper on"?

Yes, "prosper on" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a situation where success is derived from a particular source. It's acceptable in both formal and informal writing.

What is the difference between "prosper on" and "prosper from"?

While both phrases indicate deriving success, "prosper on" often suggests a more direct and ongoing reliance on the source, whereas "prosper from" can imply a broader range of benefits obtained from something. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.