varying success

USAGE SUMMARY

"varying success" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to talk about a situation in which the results are not completely successful or consistent. For example: "The team experienced varying success during the tournament, winning some games and losing others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Crackdowns have had varying success.

The Guardian

Other parties have had varying success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In those games, Murray, Gurley and Marshall had varying success.

The New York Times - Sports

All were incriminated in different ways and with varying success.

The Guardian

Broader themes are spun out elsewhere, with varying success.

The New York Times - Arts

Earlier, Bob Gainey, Mike Keane and Kirk Muller learned French with varying success.

The New York Times

Other big companies have made similar attempts with varying success.

The New York Times - Tech

Home-grown temptresses had been tried with only varying success.

The Economist

Later rulers continued expansionist wars with varying success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Monthly beat meetings continued, but with varying success.

The New York Times

For 16 more years the war continued with varying success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "varying success" when you want to convey that something has achieved both positive and negative results, rather than consistent outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "varying success" when the subject has largely failed. The phrase implies some level of positive outcome, even if inconsistent. If there's been no success, use words like "failure" or "unsuccessful attempts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "varying success" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement to a verb. As Ludwig AI notes, it describes a situation where outcomes are neither consistently successful nor entirely unsuccessful. It indicates a mixed bag of results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "varying success" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations where outcomes are inconsistent, with a mix of positive and negative results. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As evidenced by numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives such as ""mixed outcomes"" or ""uneven results"" exist, "varying success" provides a succinct and widely understood way to convey the nuance of fluctuating accomplishments. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the situation's reality, avoiding its application to scenarios of complete failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mixed outcomes

Highlights the combination of positive and negative results.

uneven results

Emphasizes the disparity in the outcomes, indicating a lack of uniformity.

differing degrees of success

Specifies that success is achieved but to different extents or levels.

inconsistent achievement

Uses "achievement" to focus on the accomplishment itself, highlighting the lack of consistency.

fluctuating performance

Focuses on the dynamic nature of the performance, suggesting ups and downs.

variable efficacy

Focuses on the effectiveness of something, which changes depending on the circumstances.

patchy record

Implies that successes are interspersed with failures, creating an irregular pattern.

sporadic accomplishments

Suggests that successes are infrequent and not consistently maintained.

unequal triumphs

Highlights the disparity in the level or magnitude of successes.

alternating fortunes

Implies a cycle of successes and failures, suggesting a lack of sustained positive results.

FAQs

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

You can use "varying success" to describe situations where efforts yield inconsistent results, such as, "The company's marketing campaigns met with varying success, with some significantly increasing sales and others having minimal impact."

What does "varying success" mean?

"Varying success" indicates that there were some successes and some failures, or that the level of success achieved was not consistent across all attempts or instances.

What are some alternatives to "varying success"?

Alternatives to "varying success" include "mixed outcomes", "uneven results", or "inconsistent achievement". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "variable success" instead of "varying success"?

Yes, "variable success" is also a correct and acceptable alternative to "varying success", although the latter is more commonly used. Both imply that the degree of success is not constant.