going relatively well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going relatively well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or process that is progressing in a satisfactory manner, though not necessarily perfectly. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, the project is going relatively well and is on track for completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I think it's going relatively well," Mr. Strickland said.

The New York Times - Health

12.26pm: In 2004 things were going relatively well in southern Iraq, so the decision to do more in Afghanistan was reasonable, Dannatt insists.

The Guardian

"While we're seeing in Manhattan that things are going relatively well and there's been a sharp rebound, in some neighborhoods of New York things are not going well," Mr. Jones said.

The New York Times

"It shows that things are going relatively well in New York compared to recent times, in that there is some steady growth in revenue and that expenses are also relatively under control," said Carol Kellermann, president of the Citizens Budget Commission.

The New York Times

For example, a few months ago, things were going relatively well with the project.

Science Magazine

Where is the businessman who hasn't from time to time put off making these tough choices when things were going relatively well?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But it seems to have gone relatively well compared with the trouble many rich families face.

The New York Times

Even if things go relatively well, within a year or two there will surely be another election.

The New Yorker

Although the process seems to have gone relatively well, it was Mr. Moi who spawned the winners.

The New York Times

But things have since gone relatively well, with Belgium's budget deficit expected to reduce to 3.7 percent of gross domestic product this year.

The New York Times

My morning meditation had gone relatively well, I thought, and I felt calm and concerned only with what was happening in the present.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going relatively well" to convey that a situation is progressing without significant problems, but avoid it when describing something that's exceptionally successful. For instance, it's appropriate to say "the project is going relatively well", but less so if the project is exceeding all expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively" when describing absolute outcomes. Saying "the surgery went relatively well, and the patient fully recovered" is redundant because full recovery implies a completely successful outcome. In such cases, simply state "the surgery went well".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going relatively well" functions as an evaluative descriptor, indicating that a process, situation, or project is advancing without major issues or setbacks. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable. The examples show it describing diverse scenarios, from political situations to project management.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Science & Research

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going relatively well" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations progressing without major issues. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While not expressing extreme success, it conveys a sense of qualified satisfaction or cautious optimism. Alternatives like "progressing satisfactorily" can be used for more formal tones, but "going relatively well" strikes a good balance for many everyday communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing comparatively well

Shifts the focus to doing, highlighting a comparison against a benchmark.

faring reasonably well

Uses 'faring' to indicate experience or progress, adding a touch of nuance.

managing acceptably

Focuses on the management aspect and its acceptable outcome.

progressing satisfactorily

Emphasizes the satisfactory level of progress, rather than a comparative state.

developing favorably

Stresses the positive direction of development.

advancing adequately

Highlights adequate advancement, focusing on meeting a minimum acceptable standard.

unfolding effectively

Highlights the effective unfolding of events or plans.

proceeding smoothly

Focuses on the smoothness of the process, suggesting an absence of major issues.

shaping up nicely

Offers a more informal and optimistic assessment of the situation's development.

maturing successfully

Suggests that something is reaching full potential.

FAQs

How can I use "going relatively well" in a sentence?

You can use "going relatively well" to describe a situation or process that is progressing without major issues. For example, "Despite the initial challenges, the project is "going relatively well" now."

What are some alternatives to "going relatively well"?

Alternatives include "progressing satisfactorily", "faring reasonably well", or "doing comparatively well". Choose the one that best fits the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "going relatively well" in formal writing?

While "going relatively well" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "progressing satisfactorily" or "developing favorably" might be preferred in highly formal contexts, such as academic papers or official reports.

What's the difference between "going relatively well" and "going very well"?

"Going relatively well" suggests that things are progressing without significant problems, but not necessarily exceeding expectations. "Going very well", on the other hand, implies a higher degree of success and satisfaction. The choice depends on the specific situation you're describing.