Grammar fix
achieve success
be successful
to reach your goals or get the results you want, especially after working hard.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
After years of hard work, she finally achieved success in her career.
In my opinion, people can achieve success by setting clear goals and staying motivated, even when things get difficult.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She achieved a success in the exam.
Say: She achieved success in the exam. / She did well in the exam.
'Success' here is uncountable — no 'a'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Achieve success' is grammatical but textbooky; in speech natives say 'do well' or 'be a success'.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
achieve success
- great
- real
- academic
- lasting