all that well

USAGE SUMMARY

"all that well" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express doubt or uncertainty about something. For example, "I don't know all that well what to do in this situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Not necessarily all that well.

The New York Times

Christmas songs don't travel all that well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Er, not all that well actually.

The Guardian - Tech

I didn't know Cheryl all that well.

The New York Times

WE don't do winter sports all that well in Manhattan.

The New York Times - Travel

Ducking stools don't actually work all that well.

The Guardian - Opinion

To our puzzlement, the strategy didn't work all that well.

The New Yorker

You can't really see them all that well".

The New York Times

But I never got along with him all that well".

The Guardian - Music

"I don't know Al all that well," Muir continued.

The New York Times - Sports

"The traditional networking strategies just weren't working all that well".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all that well" to subtly express reservations or mild criticism, softening potentially harsh statements. For example, instead of saying "The plan failed," you could say "The plan didn't work all that well."

Common error

While "all that well" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal contexts. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey your meaning with greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all that well" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the extent or degree to which something is done or achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all that well" is a common adverbial modifier used to express that something is not performing optimally or meeting expectations. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While acceptable in most situations, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "not very well" or "not particularly well" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly well

Emphasizes a lack of quality or success, similar to "all that well" but with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

not especially well

Indicates a performance or outcome that is below expectations, akin to "all that well".

not very well

A more direct and common alternative, conveying a similar level of inadequacy.

not so well

Implies a less than satisfactory result or condition, comparable to "all that well".

not terribly well

Suggests a significant deficiency in performance or quality, similar to "all that well".

not adequately

Focuses on the insufficiency of something, sharing the core meaning with "all that well".

not sufficiently

Highlights the lack of enough of something, similar to "all that well" in conveying a deficit.

not effectively

Indicates a failure to achieve the desired result, overlapping in meaning with "all that well".

not proficiently

Emphasizes a lack of skill or expertise, mirroring the sense of "all that well".

not expertly

Suggests a lack of mastery or finesse, sharing a similar meaning to "all that well".

FAQs

How can I use "all that well" in a sentence?

You can use "all that well" to express that something is not performing optimally or meeting expectations. For instance, "The new marketing strategy isn't performing "all that well"" or "I don't know him "all that well"".

What are some alternatives to "all that well"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not very well", "not particularly well", or "not especially well" to convey a similar meaning to "all that well".

Is it correct to use "all that well" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "all that well" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives to enhance clarity and impact.

What does "all that well" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "all that well" suggests that something is not performing optimally or is below the expected standard. It softens the criticism and implies a degree of inadequacy without being overly harsh.