successful in

USAGE SUMMARY

"successful in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something achieved or managed to do or accomplish something. For example: In spite of the difficult conditions, the athletes were successful in winning the tournament.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They cannot be successful in this way".

The New Yorker

He has been successful in expanding abroad.

The Economist

We are being successful in those missions.

The New York Times

He was not successful in tragedy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He's been successful in business.

The New York Times

She's successful in her thing.

The New York Times

Successful in the longer term?

The Guardian - Tech

Will Obama be successful in remaking the electorate?

The Economist

Republicans were more successful in Mississippi.

The New York Times

We have been successful in that task".

The Guardian

We're successful in opposing unwelcome development.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "successful in" to clearly indicate achievement or a positive outcome within a specific area or endeavor. For instance, "The company was successful in expanding its market share".

Common error

Avoid replacing "in" with prepositions that don't fit the context. For instance, using "at" or "on" instead of "in" can alter the intended meaning and create grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "successful in" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the attainment of a desired outcome or achievement within a specific context. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "successful in" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate the achievement of a desired outcome within a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various registers, primarily appearing in news, science, and general media. While alternatives like "proficient in" or "effective in" exist, choosing the right preposition is key to maintaining clarity. Avoiding common errors, such as misusing prepositions, ensures accurate and impactful communication. With a high expert rating and frequent usage, "successful in" is a reliable choice for expressing accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effective in

This focuses on the ability to produce the desired result.

proficient in

This alternative emphasizes skill or expertise in a particular area.

excelling in

This stresses superior performance and standing out.

accomplished in

This emphasizes a sense of completion and expertise.

fruitful in

This emphasizes the production of positive results or benefits.

adept at

This highlights natural talent or learned skill.

triumphant in

This suggests a victory or overcoming a challenge.

thriving in

This indicates vigorous growth and prosperity.

flourishing in

This implies thriving and growing in a specific environment or field.

prospering in

This refers to financial success and good fortune.

FAQs

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

Use "successful in" to indicate that someone or something has achieved a desired outcome or goal within a particular area. For example: "The team was "successful in" completing the project ahead of schedule".

What are some alternatives to "successful in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "proficient in", "adept at", or "effective in".

Is it correct to say "successful at" instead of "successful in"?

While both prepositions can be used, "successful in" is generally preferred when referring to a broader area or activity, whereas "successful at" might be used for a more specific task. However, in many cases, they are interchangeable.

What is the difference between "successful in" and "achieved success in"?

"Successful in" is a more concise way to express accomplishment. "Achieved success in" is more emphatic and highlights the effort involved in reaching that success.