they were successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were successful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people achieved their goals or objectives in a particular context. Example: "After months of hard work and dedication, they were successful in launching the new product on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They were successful.

The New York Times

Once again they were successful.

The New York Times - Books

This time, they were successful.

The Guardian - Music

In this, they were successful.

The New Yorker

This time they were successful.

The New York Times

In that, they were successful.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

They're successful.

The New York Times

And will they be successful?

The New York Times

But will they be successful?

The Guardian

They're successful and credible.

The New York Times

They're successful already.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is key, follow "they were successful" with a short explanation to remove ambiguity about the type or degree of accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "they were successful" without clearly defining the criteria for success. Readers need to understand what specific accomplishments justify the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were successful" functions as a declarative statement expressing the achievement of a positive outcome by a group. As Ludwig AI indicates, it clearly signifies that a goal has been met or an objective has been achieved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were successful" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a group has achieved a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to report achievements and accomplishments. For more formal settings, alternatives like "they achieved their objectives" may be preferred, while casual contexts allow for phrases such as "they made it". It's important to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity regarding the scope and criteria for success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they achieved their goals

Focuses on the attainment of specific objectives, implying success.

they accomplished their mission

Emphasizes the completion of a defined task, suggesting a successful outcome.

they attained success

A more formal way of expressing that they reached a successful state.

they triumphed

Highlights overcoming adversity and achieving victory, indicating success.

they prevailed

Suggests overcoming challenges and ultimately succeeding, similar to triumphing.

they realized their ambitions

Highlights the fulfillment of long-term aspirations, signifying success.

they flourished

Implies growth and prosperity, indicating a positive and successful development.

they thrived

Similar to flourishing, it suggests a state of well-being and success.

they came out on top

Indicates winning or achieving the best outcome, implying success.

they made it

An informal way to say that they reached their objective.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were successful" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they achieved their objectives", "they attained their goals", or "they accomplished their mission". These alternatives emphasize the achievement in a professional or academic context.

What's a more casual way to say "they were successful"?

In informal settings, you might use phrases like "they made it", "they pulled it off", or "they nailed it" to convey the same meaning in a more relaxed way.

Is "they were successful at" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were successful at" is grammatically correct. You can follow it with a specific activity or task to indicate where their success was achieved. For example, "They were successful at launching the new campaign".

What are some synonyms for "successful" that I can use with "they were"?

Instead of "they were successful", you can say "they were effective", "they were productive", or "they were efficient". These alternatives can add nuance to the description of their accomplishment.