successfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "successfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the achievement of a desired outcome or goal in various contexts, such as completing a task or overcoming a challenge. Example: "She successfully completed the project ahead of schedule, impressing her manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Writers who successfully complete the course will receive a successful completion certificate from UEA, which will be made on the basis of ongoing assessment and a final submission of at least 10,000 words.

The Guardian

Yet, far from expressing wonder that an act as extreme and barbaric as the murders is what it takes for the west to show defiance towards a religious duty that is not meaningful to non-Muslims, cultural provocateurs successfully argue that this highly exceptional situation is in fact indicative of a general contempt for Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since we allowed this, over 14,000 offences have been successfully matched to over 8,000 suspects including over 100 murders and 100 rapes - and as far as I am aware, no one is on the database for dropping litter!

The Guardian - Opinion

"This was quite a surprise as we put up a master's thesis from a brand new primate lab with very little funding, and successfully competed with 11 PhD finalists from the best primatology programs in the world," McPhee said.

The Guardian

He was a respected civil liberties solicitor and had successfully challenged the British government in a number of important human rights cases.

The Guardian

The trouble with this is that it risks provoking the very sectarian conflict Sinn Féin (alongside others, including working-class loyalists) has been successfully preventing in flashpoint areas all around Belfast in recent years.

The Guardian

Bush speaks fluent Spanish and comes from a family — particularly his father and uncle — that has successfully built inroads to Latino voters.

The Guardian

You have already provided suggestions of how Gordon Brown might save himself after yesterday's "bigot" gaffe, but will he successfully defend Labour's record on the financial crisis?

The Guardian - Opinion

At the last election in 2010, Cameron – the first Tory leader since the 1960s to be educated at Eton college and Oxford University, an upper-class combination somewhat comparable to the Ivy League – successfully ousted Labour after 13 years of Blair and then Gordon Brown, but his 306 seats to Labour's 258 left him 20 short of an outright majority.

The Guardian

However, the map of the world today is far from being a perfectly fitted jigsaw of successfully modernised nation-states.

The Guardian - Opinion

For example, rape and enforced prostitution were successfully prosecuted as war crimes in UNWCC-supported trials.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When varying your writing style, choose synonyms such as "effectively" or "with success" to maintain clarity while avoiding repetition.

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "successful" in place of the adverb "successfully". "Successful" describes a noun, while "successfully" describes how an action was performed. For example, say "He successfully completed the task", not "He successful completed the task".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "successfully" primarily functions as an adverb of manner, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. It indicates that an action has achieved its intended outcome. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "successfully" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, signifying the achievement of a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Formal & Business and Scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. When using "successfully", ensure it modifies a verb and that the context clearly defines the success. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives such as "effectively" or "with success". Remember to avoid misusing the adjective "successful" in place of the adverb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with success

Emphasizes the presence of success as an attribute of the action, rather than the manner in which it was performed.

effectively

Focuses on the efficiency and impact of the action, rather than simply its successful completion.

in a successful manner

A more formal and descriptive way of saying "successfully", highlighting the approach taken.

to good effect

Suggests that the action had a positive and noticeable impact.

favorably

Implies that the outcome was positive and well-received.

fruitfully

Emphasizes the productive and beneficial nature of the action.

triumphantly

Highlights the sense of victory and overcoming challenges.

competently

Focuses on the skill and ability with which the action was performed.

proficiently

Similar to competently, but emphasizes a higher level of skill and expertise.

with flying colors

An idiomatic expression suggesting exceptional success and distinction.

FAQs

How can I use "successfully" in a sentence?

"Successfully" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed. For example, "The team "successfully launched" the new product", or "She "successfully navigated" the complex situation".

What are some synonyms for "successfully"?

Alternatives to "successfully" include "effectively", "with success", "favorably", or "competently". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "successfully" or "with success"?

Both "successfully" and "with success" can be correct, but they function differently in a sentence. "Successfully" is an adverb modifying a verb, while "with success" is a prepositional phrase. For example, "The project was completed "successfully"" versus "The project was completed "with success"".

What's the difference between "successful" and "successfully"?

"Successful" is an adjective that describes a noun (e.g., "a successful project"), while "successfully" is an adverb that describes a verb (e.g., "the project was completed successfully"). Using the correct form is crucial for grammatical accuracy.