but well

USAGE SUMMARY

"but well" is not correct in written English.
You cannot use it alone; instead, you should use "but" followed by an adverb, such as "but well enough" or "but adequately." For example, "I didn't do a perfect job on the project, but well enough to please my teacher."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is but 90 days.

Forbes

All but 2? All but 1? All?

The New York Times

But 12 DOZEN are.

The New York Times

But 27 places?

The New York Times

"But 24 years ago?

The New York Times

But 14 years?

Independent

But 48 hours after?

The New York Times

But 6'5" will do.

The New York Times

But 53 people?

The New York Times

But 28 is not enough.

The New York Times

But 900 pages on paper?

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express a contrast followed by a descriptor of quality, replace "but well" with a grammatically sound alternative like "but adequately" or "but effectively" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "but well" as a concise way to indicate satisfactory quality following a contrast. This construction is not grammatically recognized. Always pair "but" with a proper adverb (e.g., "but clearly", "but carefully") to maintain grammatical integrity.

Linguistic Context

As Ludwig AI points out, "but well" is grammatically incorrect in written English. Standard grammar dictates that "but" should be followed by an adverb to properly modify the verb or adjective it's contrasting. Thus, "but well" lacks a clear grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI confirms that "but well" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in written English. Instead, it is essential to use grammatically sound alternatives such as "but adequately", "but sufficiently", or "but effectively" to maintain clarity and correctness. The intended purpose of expressing a contrast with an acceptable level of quality is better achieved through these alternatives, ensuring effective communication in any context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but adequately

Replaces "well" with a more specific adverb indicating a satisfactory level of performance.

but sufficiently

Similar to "adequately", it implies that something is enough for a particular purpose.

but reasonably

Suggests that something is done to a fair or moderate extent.

but effectively

Indicates that something is successful in producing a desired result.

but successfully

Highlights the achievement of a favorable outcome despite potential challenges.

but competently

Emphasizes the skill or knowledge with which something is done.

but skillfully

Focuses on the dexterity or expertise involved in an action.

but proficiently

Indicates a high degree of competence or expertise.

though satisfactory

Uses "though" as a conjunction to introduce a contrasting statement of acceptable quality.

even if imperfectly

Acknowledges that something might not be flawless, but still acceptable.

FAQs

Is "but well" grammatically correct?

No, "but well" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's best to use alternatives like "but adequately" or "but effectively" to convey your intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "but well"?

Instead of "but well", you can use phrases such as "but sufficiently", "but reasonably", or "but competently" depending on the context.

How can I properly use "but" to describe a quality or manner?

To correctly use "but" followed by a description of quality, use an adverb. For example, instead of "but well", you can say "but skillfully", "but proficiently", or "but successfully".

What's the difference between "but well" and "but adequately"?

"But well" is not grammatically sound, whereas "but adequately" is a correct way to express that something was done to a satisfactory, though perhaps not exceptional, standard. Always opt for the grammatically correct alternative.