bode well for

USAGE SUMMARY

'bode well for' is correct and is used in written English.
It is usually used to say that something is a good sign that will bring good results in the future. For example, "The warm welcome he received bodes well for his future in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doesn't bode well for "girthwatch".

Independent

That should bode well for wildlife.

The New York Times - Science

It does not bode well for them.

The Guardian - Sport

That seems to bode well for SodaStream.

The New Yorker

This does not bode well for Russia".

The Economist

It doesn't bode well for the game".

The New York Times - Sports

Conflict doesn't usually bode well for wildlife.

The New York Times

It doesn't bode well for retailers".

The New York Times

Doesn't bode well for a Volume 2.

The New York Times - Style

That does not bode well for Baltimore.

The New York Times - Sports

This does not bode well for them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bode well for" when you want to express that a current situation or event suggests a positive future outcome for something or someone. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "bode well for" to guarantee a specific outcome. It implies a favorable indication, not a certainty. Overstating its predictive power can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bode well for" functions as a predictive indicator, suggesting that a particular situation or event is a positive sign for future outcomes. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as grammatically correct and suitable for expressing favorable predictions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bode well for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating that a current situation suggests a positive future outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile and suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's important to remember that it signifies a favorable indication rather than a guaranteed result. Alternatives such as "augur well for" or "look promising for" can be used to vary expression while maintaining a similar meaning. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "bode well for" to convey optimism and positive expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

augur favorably for

Replaces 'bode' with a more formal synonym 'augur' while maintaining the positive prediction.

portend good things for

Uses 'portend' to suggest a future outcome, emphasizing the positive aspect.

promise a positive outcome for

More explicit about the 'positive outcome' while maintaining the structure.

suggest a bright future for

Shifts from prediction to suggestion, focusing on the 'bright future'.

look promising for

Simplifies the expression using 'look promising' instead of 'bode well'.

indicate a favorable result for

Uses more formal language like 'indicate' and 'favorable result'.

be a good omen for

Emphasizes the 'omen' aspect, suggesting a sign of good things to come.

hold promise for

Uses the simpler 'hold promise' instead of 'bode well', focusing on potential.

be a harbinger of success for

Introduces the concept of 'harbinger', indicating something that precedes success.

foretell positive developments for

Employs 'foretell' for a predictive nuance, focusing on 'positive developments'.

FAQs

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

You can use "bode well for" to indicate that something is a good sign for the future. For example, "The strong sales figures "bode well for" the company's annual revenue."

What are some alternatives to "bode well for"?

Alternatives include "augur well for", "promise well for", or "look promising for", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is "bode well for" formal or informal?

"Bode well for" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal synonyms like "augur well for" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What does it mean when something "doesn't bode well for" something else?

It means that the current situation or event is a bad sign and suggests a negative future outcome. For example, "The low test scores "do not bode well for" the students' overall performance."