awfully well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is done very well, often with a hint of irony or surprise. Example: "Despite the challenges, she managed to perform awfully well in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Kentucky played awfully well".

The New York Times - Sports

"So we did awfully well.

The Guardian - Film

Barker thinks it's all gone awfully well.

The Guardian

And aren't some spikes of popularity awfully, well, spiky?

The New Yorker

"I think we need to play awfully well to get to where we want".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's what he knows, and he knows it awfully well," Mr. Diller said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

(Fueled by Ramen), is full of exuberant, melodramatic pop songs that are awfully well-suited to bedroom singalongs.

The New York Times - Arts

They capitalized on Mr. Donohue's protest in what seems, in retrospect, like an awfully well-choreographed pas de deux to rekindle the culture wars.

The New York Times - Arts

Its first battle is to make sure it can keep the account in reach of the federal court, otherwise it may never be able to figure out who was responsible for some awfully well-timed trades.

The New York Times

He seemed awfully well-versed on them; Mr. Bayh is one of Mrs. Clinton's closest allies in the Senate, and was one of the earliest Democrats to endorse her.

The New York Times

But Scrooge's nephew, Fred Mr. Carmichaell), in white tie and top hat, and his wife (Susan Maris), in an elegant wine-red gown and sparkling earrings, look awfully well-to-do for a couple whom Scrooge earlier described as "paying bills without money".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "awfully well", be mindful of your audience and the context. While generally acceptable, its slightly informal tone may not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully well" excessively in formal or professional writing where more precise or sophisticated language would be appropriate. Alternatives like "extremely well" or "exceptionally well" may be better choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully well" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It intensifies the degree to which an action is performed, indicating a high level of proficiency or success. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is both correct and usable in written English, highlighting its integration into common language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Arts

12%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "awfully well" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a high degree of competence or success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a slightly informal tone, making it less suitable for highly formal writing. Alternatives like "extremely well" or "remarkably well" can provide a more sophisticated option when needed. Its prevalence across diverse sources indicates its broad acceptance and utility in conveying positive evaluations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely well

Indicates a high degree of competence, but emphasizes the extent of the quality rather than a surprising aspect.

remarkably well

Highlights the surprising or unexpected nature of the accomplishment.

exceptionally well

Emphasizes the quality being beyond the norm, almost unparalleled.

incredibly well

Emphasizes the difficulty to believe someone/something can perform in that way.

surprisingly well

Highlights the unexpected nature of the good performance.

outstandingly well

Emphasizes an exceptional degree of quality or success.

decidedly well

Highlights the definitive and clear nature of the successful outcome.

particularly well

Focuses on the specific aspect or manner in which something is done successfully.

splendidly well

Emphasizes the magnificence and impressiveness of the successful outcome.

terribly well

Expresses a high degree of success, similar to "awfully well", and retains the slightly informal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "awfully well" in a sentence?

You can use "awfully well" to describe someone or something performing at a high level. For example, "She handled the crisis awfully well", or "The new software performed awfully well during the test phase".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "awfully well"?

Alternatives to "awfully well" include "extremely well", "remarkably well", or "exceptionally well". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "awfully well" appropriate for formal writing?

While "awfully well" is generally acceptable, it has a slightly informal tone. For more formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "extremely well" or "exceptionally well".

What does "awfully well" imply?

"Awfully well" typically suggests a high degree of success or competence, often with a hint of surprise or understatement. It conveys that something was done very well, perhaps better than expected.