success

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to achieving a goal, a feeling of accomplishment, or to describe something that has been achieved. For example, "Despite the obstacles, she was eventually able to achieve success in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Film

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was not a success.

The Economist

His success was phenomenal.

The Guardian - Sport

We owe him a great deal and wish him every possible success.

The Guardian

Thank you for your extraordinary service to our country, and best wishes for continued success in the important endeavors that lie ahead for our country and our Agency.

The Guardian

But the wunderkind, who runs the Donmar Warehouse theatre in London, was anything but blasé last night about the success of his dark satire on suburbia.

The Guardian - Film

But it will also make success more likely.

The Guardian - Opinion

It dates back to 1967 when Lauren designed a line of neck ties and the success can be put down to the brand's eclectic nature.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Their return to the elite in 2013 was played out under another three managers and via a play-off success over Brighton & Hove Albion that was briefly overshadowed by "Poogate".

The Guardian - Sport

After the success of last year's Save Our Libraries Day events where "Flying Authors" visited every library in Gloucestershire, library users have again organised author visits and activities in many local libraries on Saturday.

The Guardian - Books

Ms Tuchman argued that a folly's success was marked by the determination of its supporters to pursue a foolish and failed policy in the face of clear arguments in favour of an alternative course.

The Guardian - Opinion

A sign of success and popularity those anonymous Stereo Kicks members can only dream about.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "success", be specific about what constitutes success in the given context. Avoid generalizations and provide concrete examples to illustrate the achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "success" as a generic compliment without specifying the area of achievement. Instead of saying "Congratulations on your success", try "Congratulations on achieving your sales target for this quarter" to make your appreciation more meaningful and specific.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "success" is that of a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the attainment of a desired outcome, achievement, or positive result, as demonstrated in many examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Film

10%

Music

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "success" functions primarily as a noun indicating the achievement of a desired outcome or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, sports, and business. While the term is versatile, ensure specificity by elaborating on the nature of the "success" and avoiding generic praise. Related terms such as "achievement" and "triumph" can provide nuanced alternatives, while paying attention to appropriate register ensures effective communication. Be careful when using this term, it can be vague, Ludwig suggests to be specific as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achievement

Emphasizes the act of accomplishing something, often through effort and skill.

accomplishment

Similar to achievement, but often implies a sense of pride or satisfaction.

triumph

Suggests a victory or overcoming a significant challenge.

victory

Indicates winning or prevailing in a competition or struggle.

positive outcome

Focuses on the favorable result of a situation or endeavor.

favorable result

Similar to positive outcome, but may imply a less significant or impactful result.

prosperity

Implies financial or material success and well-being.

flourishing

Suggests thriving and developing in a positive way.

breakthrough

Refers to a significant discovery or achievement that opens up new possibilities.

positive development

Indicates a beneficial change or progression in a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "success" in a sentence?

You can use "success" in sentences like "The project was a great "success"", "She attributed her success to hard work", or "The key to success is perseverance".

What can I say instead of "success"?

You can use alternatives like "achievement", "accomplishment", or "triumph" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "success" and "achievement"?

"Success" generally refers to the attainment of a goal, while "achievement" emphasizes the act of accomplishing something, often through effort and skill.

Which is correct, "a success" or "an success"?

"A success" is the correct form, as "success" begins with a consonant sound.