prove successful

USAGE SUMMARY

"prove successful" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to present evidence or demonstrate that something has achieved the desired result or outcome. Example: Despite initial doubts, the new marketing strategy proved successful in increasing sales by 20%.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The others have yet to prove successful.

The Guardian - Tech

Both methods prove successful for measuring HOSIDFs.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

Whether the marriage will prove successful remains to be seen.

The New York Times

If the lawsuits prove successful, the liability could be sizable.

The New York Times

China's internet users remain unsure the policy will prove successful.

Independent

As with all risks, some prove successful, others not.

The New York Times

More than one of these paths may prove successful.

The Economist

And should they prove successful, they could potentially cost Gov.

The New York Times

Should the Kickstarter prove successful, Steel envisages adapting other classics.

The Guardian - Books

"Should Poundbury prove successful and economically viable, plants may be considered elsewhere".

Independent

She died before attempts to banish her from England could prove successful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prove successful" when you want to emphasize that something has demonstrated its success through evidence or results. For example, "The new training program proved successful in improving employee performance."

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure the subject performing the action. Instead of "The experiment was proven successful", prefer "The researchers proved the experiment successful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prove successful" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, typically to assert that a particular action, strategy, or initiative has demonstrated its effectiveness and achieved a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prove successful" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something has demonstrated its effectiveness and achieved a positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When using the phrase, consider alternatives like "be effective" or "achieve success" for variety, and avoid overuse of passive voice. The phrase is versatile and suitable for expressing validated successes in various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a success

A more concise way to state that something has achieved its intended goal.

achieve success

Highlights the attainment of a successful outcome or accomplishment.

be effective

Emphasizes the ability to produce a desired result or effect.

yield positive results

Focuses on the generation of favorable outcomes.

validate its effectiveness

Focuses on confirming or demonstrating the effectiveness of something.

turn out well

Focuses on the eventual outcome being positive, rather than demonstrating success.

deliver the goods

Emphasizes the fulfillment of expectations or promises.

bear fruit

Implies that efforts or investments have led to a successful result or outcome.

work out

A more casual way of saying that something has resolved itself successfully.

pan out

Similar to "work out", implying a successful resolution or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "prove successful" in a sentence?

You can use "prove successful" to show that something has achieved a positive outcome. For example, "The new strategy "proved successful" in increasing sales."

What are some alternatives to saying "prove successful"?

Some alternatives include "be effective", "achieve success", or "yield positive results depending on the context.

Is it better to say "proved successful" or "was proven successful"?

"Proved successful" is more direct and active. "Was proven successful" is passive and can sometimes sound less impactful. It is also preferable to avoid the passive form when possible to enhance clarity.

What does it mean when something "proves successful"?

When something "proves successful", it means that it has shown evidence of achieving its intended goals or producing positive results. It has demonstrated its effectiveness or value in a tangible way.