was really successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was really successful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past event or endeavor that achieved its intended goals or outcomes. Example: "The project we launched last year was really successful, exceeding all our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

I was really successful at it most of my career.

The New York Times - Sports

"When it was really successful, we had a ton of lawsuits.

The New York Times

"There was a Facebook app last year which created a virtual customised can and was really successful," says Burdon.

The Guardian

She was really successful and her husband was her assistant – I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of her".

The Guardian - Arts

Given the possibility of Sigma's running a "successful" program, how were we to determine whether it was really successful?

Harvard Business Review

As the last post mentioned, the hackathon was really successful and we got a lot of work done, all being in the same place at the same time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

They could be really successful, but success of what kind we're not sure.

The Guardian - Music

It has been really successful".

The New York Times

It's really successful".

The Guardian

The Games have been really successful.

The Guardian - Sport

You have to be really successful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid overuse, alternate "was really successful" with stronger synonyms like "triumphant", "flourishing", or "groundbreaking".

Common error

Avoid using "was really successful" for trivial or routine tasks. Reserve this phrase for situations where the accomplishment is significant and impactful to maintain credibility and avoid hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was really successful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that achieved a high degree of success. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was really successful" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to describe past accomplishments that exceeded expectations. According to Ludwig, while generally acceptable across various contexts, it's important to consider the formality of the writing and choose more appropriate alternatives for highly formal or scientific documents. Ludwig's analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news and media, academia, and scientific writing. Remember to avoid overstating minor achievements and quantify success with metrics whenever possible for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieved great success

Emphasizes the attainment of success, focusing on the achievement itself.

proved highly effective

Highlights the effectiveness of an action or method, implying success through positive results.

yielded excellent results

Focuses on the positive outcomes or results produced, suggesting a successful endeavor.

turned out remarkably well

Indicates a surprisingly positive outcome, suggesting the success was perhaps unexpected.

was a resounding triumph

Emphasizes the complete and decisive nature of the success.

flourished remarkably

Implies a sustained period of growth and prosperity, suggesting long-term success.

exceeded all expectations

Highlights that the achievement surpassed anticipated levels of success.

was a major accomplishment

Focuses on the significance and importance of the successful achievement.

hit the mark perfectly

Suggests the achievement aligned precisely with its intended goals.

paid off handsomely

Highlights the substantial rewards or benefits resulting from the successful endeavor.

FAQs

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

You can use "was really successful" to describe a past event or project that achieved a notable positive outcome. For example: "The marketing campaign "was really successful", increasing sales by 30%."

What are some alternatives to "was really successful"?

Alternatives include "achieved great success", "proved highly effective", or "yielded excellent results". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "was really successful" in formal writing?

While "was really successful" is acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "proved highly effective" or "achieved great success" may be more suitable for formal writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of the piece.

What's the difference between "was successful" and "was really successful"?

"Was successful" indicates a general positive outcome, while "was really successful" implies a more significant or noteworthy achievement. The addition of "really" emphasizes the degree of success.