unusually successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusually successful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has achieved a level of success that is not typical or expected. Example: "The marketing campaign was unusually successful, exceeding all projected sales targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Somebody using a Goldman Sachs account in Switzerland made some flagrantly unusual, and unusually successful, options trades in Heinz just ahead of the deal announcement, so it would seem somebody had inside information.

Huffington Post

"The women's movement didn't really even have any traction until the '70s, and Peggy is still an exceptional person with an unusual job and unusually successful for where she is.

Huffington Post

Still, he had an unusually successful night.

The New Yorker

(Burberry is considered unusually successful at tapping a broader market.

The Economist

"The child of an unusually successful scientist probably isn't going to be as successful," he says.

The New York Times

Being an unusually successful person, you can realize the necessity for creativity and ingenuity.

The New Yorker

We look to those who are unusually successful — the positive deviants.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Unusually among successful film composers, Morricone has never moved to Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

Styron's life appears to have been unusually sunny: successful career, happy marriage, children, prominence in a gilded East Coast society and wealth.

The Guardian - Books

Very unusually for successful choreographers, Mr. Lightfoot and Ms. León, had never, until last month's premiere of "short time together" for the Dutch National Ballet, created a work outside of NDT.

The New York Times - Arts

"Audition" is, for its genre, an unusually ambitious and successful book.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unusually successful", consider the specific area of success you are describing. Adding a modifier can make the phrase more precise (e.g., "unusually successful campaign", "unusually successful product launch").

Common error

Avoid using "unusually successful" when the success is actually quite typical or expected. Reserve it for cases where the outcome genuinely exceeds normal expectations. If you call everything "unusually successful", it loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusually successful" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically used to describe a noun. It indicates that something has achieved a degree of success that is beyond what is typical or expected. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unusually successful" is a grammatically sound and widely used adjectival modifier, denoting a level of achievement surpassing typical expectations. It's prevalent in News & Media and Science, fitting comfortably in neutral to professional registers. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is considered correct and suitable for diverse contexts. When employing this phrase, remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for instances where success genuinely exceeds the norm and consider specifying the area of success for added precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally triumphant

Emphasizes victory or overcoming challenges to a high degree.

remarkably prosperous

Focuses on financial or economic success to an outstanding degree.

singularly effective

Emphasizes unique and potent effectiveness.

uncommonly thriving

Focuses on the rare nature of prosperity.

strikingly flourishing

Highlights a state of growth and thriving in a notable way.

surprisingly fruitful

Indicates unexpected high yield or results.

distinctly prosperous

Highlights a clear financial success

particularly booming

Describes a period of rapid growth or expansion.

notably advantageous

Indicates a significant benefit or favorable outcome.

especially victorious

Stresses triumph and victory

FAQs

How can I use "unusually successful" in a sentence?

You can use "unusually successful" to describe something that has achieved a higher level of success than expected. For example, "The new product launch was "unusually successful", exceeding all sales projections."

What are some alternatives to "unusually successful"?

Alternatives include "exceptionally triumphant", "remarkably prosperous", or "strikingly flourishing" depending on the specific context you're writing in.

When is it appropriate to use the term "unusually successful"?

Use "unusually successful" when you want to emphasize that something has achieved a level of success that is significantly above the norm or initial expectations. It's useful for highlighting unexpected or remarkable outcomes.

Is "highly successful" the same as "unusually successful"?

While both phrases indicate a positive outcome, "unusually successful" implies that the success is not only high but also unexpected or exceptional compared to typical results. "Highly successful" simply means that the outcome was very good.