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I have this English sentence,

The "XYZ" has been successful at mopping up the working-class vote.

Since I want to make sure that I've correctly understood the meaning of the two words (the verb succeed and the adjective successful), I would like to know if I can modify the sentence above and get the same meaning:

"The XYZ" succeeded at mopping up the working-class vote.

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    Yep. I can't think of any difference in meaning (though I'm sure I'll be proven wrong shortly!)...
    – jimsug
    Commented Jun 14, 2014 at 17:39
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    Only difference is that the first one indicates activity that might still be occurring, while the second one is in the past.
    – user3169
    Commented Jun 14, 2014 at 17:39

2 Answers 2

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The "XYZ" has been successful [in] mopping up the working-class vote.

The above gives a sense that more actions would ensue.

OP's suggestion,

The "XYZ" succeeded [in] mopping up the working-class vote.

however, is in the past tense and is more for describing a completed event.

The present perfect would be better:

The "XYZ" has succeeded in mopping up the working-class vote.

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That is correct for the most part but there is a little difference between the two sentences. The first sentence indicates that the activity might still be ongoing therefore I would suggest:

The "XYZ" was successful at mopping up the working-class vote.

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