total success

USAGE SUMMARY

"total success" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an outcome that is completely successful in terms of achieving a goal or target. For example, "The project was a total success, with all objectives met within the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that is not total success.

The Economist

Yet it is not a total success.

Independent

Yoga wasn't a total success, though.

Harvard University

That's where total success is at.

The Washington Post

The adaptive cruise control, by contrast, was a total success.

The New York Times

It's a disaster movie that isn't a total success.

The Guardian - Film

In those terms it was a total success".

The Guardian

"Uncle Vanya" wasn't a total success at first.

The New Yorker

The operation was not a total success, however.

The Guardian

The operation itself has been a total success.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Looking back, she views the project as a total success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "total success" to emphasize that all goals were completely achieved, leaving no room for partial or mixed results. This phrase is most effective when you want to convey a sense of complete and unreserved accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "total success" to describe initiatives that are still in progress or have potential for further improvement. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the objective has been fully realized and there are no further targets to achieve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total success" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject complement, direct object, or appositive, describing something that has achieved complete and unqualified success. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "total success" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the achievement of all goals in a comprehensive manner. According to Ludwig, it is a valid phrase in written English and is frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "complete triumph" or "resounding success" can add nuance, "total success" effectively conveys that an endeavor has fully met its objectives. It is important to reserve the use of "total success" only for those initiatives that have fully come to fruition, avoiding its application when the outcome is still unfolding. As confirmed by Ludwig's analysis, "total success" is well-established and widely accepted in English discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete triumph

Emphasizes the celebratory aspect of success and its conclusive nature, offering a more emotive tone.

unqualified victory

Highlights the absence of conditions or limitations in the achievement, suggesting an unblemished outcome.

resounding success

Focuses on the impact and audibility of the success, implying it is widely recognized and impressive.

unequivocal success

Stresses the clarity and certainty of the success, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

absolute achievement

Highlights the completeness and finality of the accomplishment, suggesting a benchmark has been reached.

perfect result

Shifts focus to the outcome being flawless and ideal, which may imply a higher standard than just success.

full accomplishment

Focuses on the thoroughness with which the objective was achieved, suggesting a comprehensive effort.

unmitigated triumph

Highlights the pure and unadulterated nature of the victory, without any negative aspects or drawbacks.

flawless execution

Highlights the process rather than the outcome, suggesting a perfect performance led to the positive result.

comprehensive fulfillment

Emphasizes that all aspects of the desired outcome have been realized, implying a detailed and exhaustive process.

FAQs

How can I use "total success" in a sentence?

You can use "total success" to describe projects, operations, or events that have achieved all their intended goals completely. For example: "The marketing campaign was a "total success", exceeding all projected sales targets."

What are some alternatives to "total success"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "complete triumph", "resounding success", or "unqualified victory" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "total success" or "complete success"?

"Total success" and "complete success" are largely interchangeable. However, "total success" might emphasize a more holistic or comprehensive achievement, while "complete success" simply highlights that all aspects of the goal were met. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When should I avoid using "total success"?

Avoid using "total success" if there are any caveats or areas where the objective was not fully met. In such cases, phrases like "partial success" or "mixed results" would be more appropriate.