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Prepositions before nouns

Prepositions used with “success”

“Success” commonly appears with “to,” “of,” and “in,” but the grammar and meaning differ.

Quick answer

Different meanings with “success”

Use “key to success” or “road to success” for direction toward achievement. Use “success of” to identify whose or what success is being discussed. “Of success” alone is not usually a complete expression.

Hard work is the key to success.
The success of the project surprised everyone.
She achieved great success in business.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
to success

Showing direction toward achievement

Use “to” in expressions such as “path to success” or “secret to success.”

Patience is essential on the road to success.
2
success of + noun

Identifying whose success

Use “success of” to talk about the achievement of a person, plan, or event.

The success of the campaign depended on volunteers.
3
success in + field/activity

Naming an area of achievement

Use “in” for fields, industries, or activities.

He found success in music at a young age.
4
successful at + activity

Using the adjective form

English often prefers the adjective “successful” with “at.”

She is successful at negotiation.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
to success
Education can open the door to success.
movement or progress toward achievement
success of
The success of the company attracted investors.
the achievement belonging to someone or something
of success
“Of success” alone is usually incomplete.
normally part of a larger phrase
success in
They achieved success in science.
achievement within a field

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “of success” as a complete phrase

English normally needs a larger structure.

✕ We talked of success strategies. ✓ We talked about successful strategies.

Using “to success” after verbs like “achieve”

“Achieve” takes “success,” not “to success.”

✕ She achieved to success quickly. ✓ She achieved success quickly.

Confusing noun and adjective forms

Use “success” as a noun and “successful” as an adjective.

✕ He is success in sales. ✓ He is successful in sales.

Using “in success” instead of “successful”

English prefers adjective forms in many contexts.

✓ The team was successful.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Discipline is the key ___ success.
2. The success ___ the experiment was unexpected.
3. She achieved success ___ marketing.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say “road to success”?

Yes. It is a common expression for progress toward achievement.

Is “of success” wrong?

Not always, but it usually needs a larger phrase such as “the importance of success.”

What preposition follows “successful”?

“Successful” commonly takes “in” or “at,” depending on context.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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