success in itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "success in itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that success is valuable or meaningful on its own, without needing additional context or achievements. Example: "Winning the award was gratifying, but the journey and personal growth were success in itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We have worked so many years for this memorial and that is a success in itself.

The Guardian

This is yet more evidence that although curiosity is a necessary ingredient for executive success, in itself it's not enough.

Harvard Business Review

But the fact that they flourished for a time and left records of themselves, even if only in bone and stone, is success in itself.

The New York Times

"It may however be a result of the incentives generated by the academisation policy, which the government may well argue is a success in itself.

The Guardian

Many successful schools don't have a uniform at all, so a school uniform is no guarantee of academic success in itself.

The Guardian

The village, she said, had to be a success in itself, but it also had to bring success to the surrounding neighborhood.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Inspired partly by Ludlow's success in aligning itself with the Slow Food movement and reinventing itself as a gastro-hub, local authorities now routinely incorporate food as a plank of their tourism strategy - and it works.

The Guardian - Travel

In other words, a bank that catered to mass murderers has had some success in portraying itself as a victim.

The Economist

While Manchester, say, has had some success in reinventing itself, smaller Northern towns in particular, such as Rochdale and Grimsby, have been badly let down.

Independent

"This company has had complete success in divesting itself of all liabilities of every kind, including environmental liabilities, which are the hardest to shed".

The New York Times

Last year, even the weekday rate fell just shy of 90percentt, partly because of the city's success in positioning itself as an attractive convention destination.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "success in itself" to emphasize the intrinsic value of an achievement, particularly when the outcome might not be obvious or measurable by conventional standards.

Common error

Avoid using "success in itself" when the accomplishment is trivial or inconsequential; the phrase implies a meaningful level of achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "success in itself" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or appositive to emphasize the intrinsic value of an action or event. It asserts that something holds merit independent of external outcomes or related achievements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid English expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

8.3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4.1%

Science

4.1%

Reference

4.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "success in itself" is a valuable tool for emphasizing the inherent worth of an achievement, regardless of external validation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While it's important to avoid overstating its significance, using it effectively can highlight the true value of progress and effort. Alternatives like "achievement in its own right" or "a victory in itself" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Remember, the key is to focus on the intrinsic value and meaning of the accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achievement in its own right

Replaces "success" with "achievement" and uses "in its own right" to emphasize the independent value.

an accomplishment on its own

Similar to "achievement in its own right", stressing the independent accomplishment.

a victory in itself

Substitutes "success" with "victory", highlighting the sense of overcoming a challenge.

a standalone achievement

Emphasizes the self-sufficiency and completeness of the success.

rewarding on its own merits

Focuses on the rewarding aspect of the experience, independent of external validation.

valuable in isolation

Emphasizes the worth of the accomplishment even when considered separately from other factors.

significant by its own nature

Highlights the inherent significance of the success.

a triumph in its own sphere

Implies a success within a specific area or context.

a worthwhile endeavor alone

Highlights the worthiness of the effort, regardless of additional outcomes.

inherently fulfilling

Focuses on the intrinsic satisfaction derived from the success.

FAQs

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

Use "success in itself" to highlight the inherent value or accomplishment of something, even if it doesn't lead to further gains. For example, "The completion of the project, despite the challenges, was a "success in itself"".

What are some alternatives to "success in itself"?

You can use alternatives like "achievement in its own right", "a victory in itself", or "rewarding on its own merits" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "success in itself"?

While grammatically correct, "success in itself" is most effective when emphasizing the intrinsic value of an accomplishment that might not be immediately apparent to others. It should not be used for trivial achievements.

What's the difference between "success in itself" and "success on its own"?

"Success in itself" emphasizes the inherent value or accomplishment, whereas "success on its own" simply means success without external assistance. The former carries a stronger connotation of intrinsic worth.