but not well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done to a certain extent, but not to a satisfactory or proficient level. Example: "I can play the guitar, but not well enough to perform in front of an audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I did, but not well.

The New York Times

"Yeah, but not well.

The Guardian - Music

Duk-koo fought often but not well.

The New York Times - Sports

They can do it, but not well".

The New York Times

He was known, but not well known.

The New York Times

He knew the Sandlers, but not well.

The New York Times - Magazine

He himself painted well, but not well enough.

The New Yorker

"It was well timed but not well conceived," he asserted.

The New York Times

"People are better, but not well," Professor Hogarty said.

The New York Times - Science

"I think we played hard, but not well," Coslet said.

The New York Times - Sports

Grill quickly, until crisp but not well done.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not well" to convey a nuanced meaning where something is done or exists, but doesn't meet the required standard or expectation. For example, "I understand the concept, but not well enough to explain it clearly."

Common error

Avoid using "but not well" when the intention is to express complete absence or failure. If something is entirely absent, a more appropriate phrase would be "not at all" or "not in the slightest".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not well" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a state exists. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys that something is done or exists, but the quality or extent is lacking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not well" is a versatile expression used to convey that something is done or exists, but not to a satisfactory standard. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it's important to avoid using it when expressing complete absence or failure, mastering its use can add nuance and precision to your writing. Consider related phrases like "though inadequately" or "not entirely successfully" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but with limitations

Acknowledges constraints or restrictions in the process.

not entirely successfully

Expresses a partial failure or lack of complete success.

even if poorly

Indicates that something is done, but to a low standard.

to a limited extent

Indicates that something is only partially achieved.

however insufficiently

Stresses the inadequacy despite some effort.

while deficient

Highlights an element that is lacking or incomplete.

though inadequately

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the action or state.

yet imperfectly

Focuses on the flaws or imperfections in the action.

albeit deficiently

Highlights a specific shortcoming or lack of quality.

although subpar

Indicates that something is below the expected standard.

FAQs

How can I use "but not well" in a sentence?

Use "but not well" to indicate that something is done to a certain degree, but not to a satisfactory or proficient level. For example, "He understood the instructions, "but not well" enough to complete the task correctly."

What are some alternatives to saying "but not well"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "but not effectively", "but not sufficiently", or "but not proficiently".

Is it better to say "but not good" or "but not well"?

The choice depends on what you are modifying. Use "but not good" to describe a state of being or quality, and ""but not well"" to describe how an action is performed. For example, "His health was not good" versus "He played the piano, "but not well"".

What does it mean when something is described as "well known but not well understood"?

This phrase indicates that a concept or phenomenon is widely recognized or acknowledged, but its underlying mechanisms or reasons are "not fully understood". In other words, people know of it, but they don't necessarily know why or how it works.