successor of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "successor of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate someone or something that follows or takes over a position, role, or title from another. Example: "The new CEO is the successor of the previous leader, who retired last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He could have been the successor of Freud," says Cassel.

Independent

He was once the designated successor of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is the successor of the Sandlot Baseball Ass'n.

The New Yorker

But he wants a successor of his own choosing.

The Economist

Zero is not the successor of any natural number.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His immediate successor, of course, did much worse.

The Guardian - Sport

Newspeak is the successor of Oldspeak, or Standard English.

The New Yorker

He was the anointed successor of Margaret Thatcher.

The Guardian - Opinion

That party is the successor of the Italian Social Movement, which was the successor of Mussolini's Fascist party.

The New York Times

Every modern library is a successor of the ancient library at Alexandria, Egypt, just as that library, founded by Ptolemy I, was a successor of Aristotle's Lyceum.

The New York Times

His successor, of whatever political hue, will have to do better.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "successor of", ensure that the context clearly establishes the predecessor. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the connection between the two entities.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "successor of", which indicates a person or thing that follows, with "success", which denotes a positive outcome or achievement. Using the wrong term can drastically alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "successor of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates a person or thing that follows and takes the place of another. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "successor of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that denotes a person or thing that follows another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The phrase is versatile, appearing across various contexts from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. While "successor of" is correct, "successor to" is also an acceptable and sometimes preferred alternative. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context sufficiently identifies both the successor and the predecessor to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replacement for

Focuses on the act of replacing, highlighting the function of taking over.

heir to

Specifically refers to inheriting a position, title, or role.

next in line for

Emphasizes the sequential order and expectation of succession.

inheritor of

Highlights the act of inheriting, similar to 'heir to' but slightly more formal.

descendant of

Indicates a lineage or ancestry connection, suggesting a continuation from the past.

follow-on to

Emphasizes that one thing is following another as a consequence or next step.

spiritual successor to

Implies a continuation of values or spirit rather than a direct replacement.

progeny of

Refers to offspring or descendants, suggesting a biological or figurative lineage.

the one after

A simple, direct way of indicating who or what comes next.

superseding

Highlights the action of replacing something, often implying it's superior or more modern.

FAQs

How can I use "successor of" in a sentence?

You can use "successor of" to indicate who or what comes after something else. For instance, "The new manager is the successor of the retiring CEO" or "This model is the successor of the previous version".

What's the difference between "successor of" and "predecessor of"?

"Successor of" refers to the one that follows, while "predecessor of" refers to the one that came before. They are opposite terms indicating sequential order.

What are some alternatives to "successor of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "replacement for", "heir to", or "next in line for".

Is it correct to say "successor to" instead of "successor of"?

While "successor of" is grammatically correct, "successor to" is also widely accepted and often preferred, particularly in formal contexts.