The plural form of "success" is successes.
"Success" is a versatile English noun that can function in both countable and uncountable ways, depending on the context. While it often refers to a general abstract concept, it can also denote specific achievements or positive outcomes, in which case it takes a plural form.
Understanding "Success" as a Noun
To fully grasp its pluralization, it's helpful to understand how "success" is used:
-
Uncountable Noun: When "success" refers to the general state or condition of achieving a desired outcome, or the favorable result itself, it is typically treated as an uncountable (mass) noun. In this sense, it does not have a plural form.
- Example: "Achieving success requires hard work and dedication." (Here, "success" is an abstract concept, not a quantifiable item.)
-
Countable Noun: When "success" refers to individual accomplishments, specific instances of triumph, or positive results that can be enumerated, it functions as a countable noun. In these cases, the plural form is successes. This is the direct answer to the question and aligns with standard dictionary definitions.
- Example: "The company celebrated several successes in the last quarter, including a new product launch and a major client acquisition."
When to Use "Successes"
The plural form "successes" is used when you are referring to multiple distinct instances of achievement or favorable outcomes. Consider these scenarios:
- Multiple Achievements: When detailing a series of positive results.
- For instance: "Her career is marked by a string of remarkable successes."
- Individual Triumphs: When highlighting separate instances where something went well.
- For example: "Each of these small successes contributed to the overall victory."
- Varied Outcomes: When discussing different types or categories of accomplishments.
- Such as: "They analyzed both their past successes and failures to learn for the future."
Examples in Context
Here's a table illustrating the usage:
| Noun Type | Usage Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Uncountable | "The team worked tirelessly for success." | Refers to the general state or concept of winning. |
| Countable | "They achieved many successes throughout their campaign." | Refers to distinct, individual victorious outcomes. |
| Countable | "We celebrated two major successes this year." | Refers to specific, countable achievements. |
For more information on countable and uncountable nouns in English grammar, you can refer to reputable language resources. Understanding this distinction is key to using nouns like "success" correctly.
Learn more about countable and uncountable nouns
Key Takeaways
- The definitive plural form of "success" when referring to multiple accomplishments is successes.
- "Success" can also be used as an uncountable noun, referring to the general state of achievement, in which case it does not take a plural form.
- Context is crucial in determining whether to use "success" or "successes."
