bode well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bode well" is a valid and commonly used expression in written English.
It is often used to indicate an auspicious sign or a positive outcome. For example, "The fact that the stock market is rising bodes well for the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Does not bode well".

The New York Times

— doesn't necessarily bode well.

The New York Times - Arts

Doesn't bode well".

The Guardian - Sport

It doesn't bode well.

The New York Times - Tech

It does not bode well.

The New York Times

Does this bode well?

The Guardian

This didn't bode well.

The New York Times - Books

This did not bode well.

The New York Times

This does not bode well.

The New York Times

That does not bode well.

The New York Times

Doesn't bode well for "girthwatch".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bode well" to express a positive prediction or expectation based on current signs or circumstances. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "bode well" when the situation is neutral or negative. The phrase inherently implies a positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bode well" functions as a verb phrase that often acts as a predicate in a sentence. It indicates that something is a good sign or suggests a favorable outcome is likely. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bode well" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate a positive prediction or expectation. It's frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in formal business contexts. According to Ludwig's analysis, this phrase functions to express optimism based on current circumstances, and its register is generally neutral, though it can lean towards formal. For example, "lower interest rates "bode well" for Caterpillar". Alternatives like "augur well" or "promise success" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and widespread use of this expression in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

augur well

More formal and literary; suggests a prediction based on signs or omens.

be a good omen

Highlights the sign or event as a predictor of good fortune or positive outcomes.

be a harbinger of success

More formal and emphasizes the role of the sign as a precursor to success.

portend good things

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the positive consequences that are likely to follow.

foreshadow positive developments

Implies that upcoming events will be positive based on current indicators.

herald positive results

Emphasizes the announcement or indication of favorable outcomes.

promise success

Focuses specifically on the likelihood of achieving a successful result.

suggest a bright future

Broader in scope, referring to a positive outlook for the future in general.

look promising

More general and less emphatic; simply indicates a positive outlook.

indicate a favorable outcome

A more neutral and straightforward way of expressing that the likely result will be positive.

FAQs

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

You can use "bode well" to indicate that current circumstances suggest a positive future outcome. For example: "The company's strong performance this quarter "bodes well" for its annual results".

What are some alternatives to saying "bode well"?

Alternatives to "bode well" include "augur well", "promise success", or "look promising", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "bodes well" instead of "bode well"?

The correct form is "bode well". "Bodes well" would only be appropriate if you are referring to a singular subject in the third person, such as "His performance "bodes well" for the team's future".

What's the difference between "bode well" and "portend good things"?

"Bode well" is a general indicator of a positive outcome. "Portend good things" /s/portend+good+things is more emphatic, suggesting that current signs strongly predict future positive developments.