that was successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was successful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event, action, or endeavor that achieved its intended outcome or goal. Example: "The project we launched last month was challenging, but in the end, that was successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It was a classic retest of the lows that was successful," he said.

The New York Times

Nowadays, I would have been dropped long before I had a book that was successful.

The Guardian - Books

The last even mildly controversial referendum that was successful in Australia, constitutional referendum, was in 1946.

The Guardian

"Benetton had a franchise strategy for 20 years that was successful," Mr. Kuriloff said.

The New York Times

The first machine that was successful for making glass containers was making Mason jars.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not better than anyone else that was successful and probably OD'd or committed suicide.

Independent

Mr. O'Neal had pushed Merrill into more aggressive areas — a strategy that was successful until the subprime market collapsed.

The New York Times

Q: You're lucky that the show that was successful — "Friends" — was the one that should have been.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's become a symbol that we haven't let go of everything about the past that was successful.

The Guardian - Opinion

For a team that was successful last season, the Union have considerable skill despite their struggles so far in 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

Another compound that was successful in tests was curcumin, a bright yellow compound found in the spice turmeric.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "that was successful". While versatile, more formal alternatives might be appropriate in professional or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "that was successful" repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "effective", "fruitful", or "triumphant" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was successful" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a preceding noun or clause to indicate that something achieved its intended goals or had a positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was successful" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase used to describe something that achieved its desired outcome. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts but is also prevalent in science and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overuse and consider employing synonyms to maintain reader engagement and clarity. Remember that while versatile, choosing a more formal alternative may enhance professionalism, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that achieved the desired outcome

Highlights the achievement of a specific, intended result.

that accomplished its goal

Directly refers to the achievement of a specific aim or objective.

that ended favorably

Focuses on the positive conclusion or resolution of a situation.

that turned out well

Indicates a positive outcome, focusing on the final result rather than the process.

that paid off

Emphasizes the benefits or rewards resulting from the effort.

that proved fruitful

Replaces "successful" with a more metaphorical term emphasizing the positive results achieved.

that worked out

A more informal way of saying something ended positively or favorably.

that bore fruit

Similar to "that proved fruitful", but potentially implies a longer period of time to achieve results.

that was a triumph

Replaces "successful" with a stronger term implying a significant victory or achievement.

that was a hit

Implies "that" was well-received or popular, often used in the context of entertainment or products.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was successful" to describe a past event or action that achieved its intended outcome. For example, "The marketing campaign "that was successful" increased sales by 20%."

What can I say instead of "that was successful"?

You can use alternatives like "that was effective", "that proved fruitful", or "that achieved the desired outcome" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that was successful"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English sentence structure and is widely accepted and used.

What is the difference between "that was successful" and "it was successful"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, "that was successful" usually refers back to a specific action, event, or strategy previously mentioned. In contrast, "it was successful" can stand alone or refer to a broader context.