successful enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "successful enough" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something or someone that has achieved a certain level of success, but may not have fully reached their potential or ultimate goal. For example: - "Although the project was successful enough to please shareholders, there is still room for improvement." - "She had a successful enough career, but she always dreamed of becoming a CEO." - "The team's performance was successful enough to win the game, but they know they can do even better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is not successful enough for that.

The Economist

The strongest may be successful enough to dominate specific categories.

The Economist

He was soon successful enough to give up teaching.

The New York Times - Arts

"Successful enough," he said, with a slightly disgruntled sigh.

The New Yorker

He becomes successful enough to wonder where his old credo disappeared to.

The New York Times - Books

In fact, the spies were not even successful enough to have espionage charges brought against them.

The Economist

History often forgives military leaders for small scandals, if they are successful enough.

The New Yorker

But the core congestion charge has been successful enough to be accepted as permanent.

The New Yorker

He just needs to be successful enough financially to support himself.

The New Yorker

"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979) was successful enough to spawn five sequels.

The Washington Post

It was successful enough that by the next year players were being recruited nationally.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "successful enough" to convey a sense of achievement that meets a certain minimum standard or requirement. It acknowledges success while often hinting at potential for further improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "successful enough" when you intend to express outstanding or exceptional success. This phrase implies a limited or just adequate level of achievement, not extraordinary accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "successful enough" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a certain level of success has been attained. It suggests the subject has achieved the required level of success, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "successful enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, indicating a level of success that meets a certain standard but may not be exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment by providing many real-world examples from credible sources. It's best used when conveying that a goal has been achieved adequately, but avoid using it to express outstanding or exceptional achievement. Related phrases like "sufficiently successful" or "adequately successful" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context. Be mindful to avoid overselling the degree of success when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently successful

Emphasizes the adequacy of the success achieved, focusing on whether it meets a required level.

adequately successful

Highlights that the success is acceptable or satisfactory, though perhaps not outstanding.

reasonably successful

Indicates a moderate level of success, implying that it is within expected or acceptable limits.

moderately successful

Indicates a middle-ground level of success, not extremely high but not low either.

passably successful

Suggests a minimal level of success, just enough to be considered acceptable.

competently successful

Focuses on the skill or ability with which the success was achieved.

favorably successful

Focuses on the positive or advantageous nature of the success.

well enough achieved

Emphasizes the completion or attainment of something to a satisfactory degree.

profitably enough

Highlights the financial gains or benefits derived from the success.

triumphantly enough

Highlights the victorious nature of the achievement and implies a sense of accomplishment.

FAQs

How do I use "successful enough" in a sentence?

Use "successful enough" to describe something that has achieved a satisfactory level of success. For example, "The project was "successful enough" to secure funding for the next phase."

What are some alternatives to saying "successful enough"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "sufficiently successful", "adequately successful", or "reasonably successful" to express a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "successful enough"?

Yes, "successful enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reliable sources.

What is the difference between "successful enough" and "very successful"?

"Successful enough" implies a moderate level of success that meets a certain requirement, while "very successful" suggests a high degree of achievement, exceeding expectations. The latter indicates more accomplishment.