everything was going smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'everything was going smoothly' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that a situation was going well, without any problems or issues. For example: "The meeting was going well, and everything was going smoothly until someone suggested a new idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This is it.' Everything was going smoothly and I won it.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything was going smoothly until it was the affable sideman's turn to perform.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr Sandberg said: "Everything was going smoothly in the first 15 minutes and then there was a sharp bang.

Independent

Everything was going smoothly, and my friend and I arrived at the Dar es Salaam airport with six large pieces of luggage.

The New York Times

On our visits, she not only extended a gracious welcome but also talked to customers throughout dinner, making sure everything was going smoothly.

The New York Times

A few weeks ago, everything was going smoothly in our codependent relationship, and I had managed to make Amazon into an enabler for my procrastination scheme by lingering for nearly a half hour on some of the site's reviews.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And not everything is going smoothly.

The New Yorker

Everything is going smoothly at the conference.

The New Yorker

"Everything is going smoothly," Mayor Mel Lastman said.

The New York Times

"So I think that's helped just because everything's going smoothly and the way it's supposed to".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything is going smoothly and according to plan: military victories, political victories, diplomatic victories--the whole world cowed and held at bay.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, use "everything was going smoothly" to indicate a period of stability before a change or disruption occurs. This helps create anticipation and emphasizes the impact of the subsequent event.

Common error

Avoid using "everything was going smoothly" as a filler phrase in narratives where the lack of conflict is already apparent. Instead, focus on details that actively build the scene or develop characters to engage the reader more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything was going smoothly" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular situation or process was progressing without problems or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it being used to describe various scenarios, from travel plans to business operations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "everything was going smoothly" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that indicates a situation was progressing without problems. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Vice. It's most frequently used in news and media contexts to set the stage before introducing a change or challenge. While versatile, avoid overuse in simple narratives and consider alternatives like "everything was proceeding without a hitch" or "everything was unfolding seamlessly" for variety and greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything was proceeding without a hitch

Emphasizes the absence of any obstacles or interruptions.

everything was progressing favorably

Highlights the positive direction and successful advancement of events.

everything was unfolding seamlessly

Conveys a sense of effortless and flawless development.

everything was running like clockwork

Implies precision and perfect timing in the execution of events.

the situation was under control

Focuses on the management and stability of the circumstances.

the operation was proceeding as planned

Highlights adherence to a predetermined course of action.

there were no complications

Directly states the absence of any problematic issues.

it was all plain sailing

An idiomatic expression indicating ease and lack of difficulty.

the process was trouble-free

Emphasizes the absence of any difficulties or problems during the process.

it was smooth sailing all the way

Similar to "plain sailing", this phrase reinforces the idea of uninterrupted ease.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "everything was going smoothly"?

Alternatives include "everything was proceeding without a hitch", "everything was progressing favorably", or "everything was unfolding seamlessly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "everything is going smoothly"?

Yes, "everything is going smoothly" describes a current situation, while "everything was going smoothly" refers to a past situation.

What does "everything was going smoothly until..." imply?

This construction implies a shift in circumstances. It sets the stage for an unexpected problem or disruption, contrasting with the preceding period of ease.

Is "everything was going smoothly" formal or informal?

The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile for various writing styles and audiences.