going smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

"going smoothly" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which progress is being made without problems or complications. For example: "The project has been going smoothly so far and we should be finished in a few weeks".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plan B is going smoothly.

The New York Times

So things have been going smoothly recently.

The New York Times

And not everything is going smoothly.

The New Yorker

Everything is going smoothly at the conference.

The New Yorker

Things seem to be going smoothly".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

The Guardian

"My involvement is really going smoothly.

The Washington Post

"Things were going smoothly," she says.

The Guardian - Opinion

Democrats say all is going smoothly.

The New York Times

"I think everything will be going smoothly".

The New York Times - Sports

So far it's all going smoothly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going smoothly" to convey that a process or activity is progressing without unexpected problems or delays. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "going smoothly" is acceptable, avoid overuse in passive constructions. For instance, instead of "It is said that everything is going smoothly", try "Reports indicate everything is going smoothly" for a more direct tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going smoothly" functions as a predicate adjective describing the state or manner in which a process, plan, or situation is progressing. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going smoothly" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a process, project, or situation is progressing without significant problems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is prevalent in news and media, academia, and general conversation. While alternatives such as "progressing well" or "proceeding without a hitch" may be more appropriate in formal settings, "going smoothly" is generally acceptable across diverse contexts. When writing, be mindful of the potential for passive voice overuse and strive for direct, active constructions for a stronger impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressing well

This alternative focuses on the positive advancement of a process or project.

proceeding without a hitch

This alternative emphasizes the absence of any problems or obstacles.

running like clockwork

This alternative suggests a high degree of efficiency and predictability.

advancing seamlessly

This alternative highlights the smooth and uninterrupted nature of the progress.

developing favorably

This alternative underscores the positive direction and outcome of the development.

unfolding successfully

This alternative emphasizes the successful progression and outcome of a situation.

operating efficiently

This alternative focuses on the effective and productive nature of the operation.

functioning optimally

This alternative suggests that something is working at its best possible level.

rolling along nicely

This alternative offers a more informal and casual way to describe smooth progress.

in good shape

This alternative implies that a situation or project is in a satisfactory condition and progressing positively.

FAQs

How can I use "going smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use "going smoothly" to describe a situation that is progressing without problems. For example, "The project is "going smoothly" and we are on track to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "going smoothly"?

Alternatives to "going smoothly" include "progressing well", "proceeding without a hitch", and "running like clockwork". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "going smoothly" formal or informal?

"Going smoothly" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "proceeding satisfactorily" or "progressing favorably".

What does it mean when someone says something is "not going smoothly"?

When someone says something is "not going smoothly", it means there are problems, delays, or unexpected complications hindering progress. It is the opposite of "going smoothly".