how well it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how well it was" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to inquire about the quality or effectiveness of something in the past, but it requires additional context or restructuring to be grammatically correct. Example: "I was surprised by how well it was received at the event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The BBC halted the project in October 2012 to review how well it was performing.

The New York Times

A politician touring Uganda remembers hearing from each agency how well it was doing.

The Economist

"And we were admiring how well it was going and how everything was done.

The Guardian

The Shabab called it a "resettlement program," and the picture was mixed about how well it was going.

The New York Times

Brands will no longer simply stick to their website, no matter how well it was "optimised" in 2012.

The Economist

"We were on overload," he said, "and the bottom line is we didn't know how well it was working".

The New York Times

The owners and even our clients raved about how well it was done and it keeps bringing in new clients.

Harvard Business Review

The Philharmonic, in one of its best evenings I can remember, seemed to know just how well it was playing.

The New York Times

The resident scheduled an echocardiogram -- an ultrasound of the heart -- to see how well it was beating.

The New York Times - Magazine

And even more doubted that consumers would pay for a catalog, regardless of how well it was executed.

The New York Times

The whole thing would depend on how well it was taught and what is meant by coding.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating past performance, consider using more precise adverbs like 'effectively', 'successfully', or 'competently' instead of relying on the general term "well".

Common error

Avoid using "how well it was" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, specify the aspect of performance you are evaluating, such as "how efficiently it was managed" or "how thoroughly it was tested".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how well it was" functions as part of a relative clause, often introducing a dependent clause that describes or evaluates a preceding action, event, or process. Ludwig indicates that, while commonly used, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "how well it was" appears frequently across diverse sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig points out, opting for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "how effectively it was" or "how successfully it was" is advisable, especially in formal contexts. When assessing past performance, consider specifying the aspect you are evaluating to avoid overgeneralization. Remember, clarity and precision enhance the credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how effectively it was

Replaces 'well' with 'effectively', focusing on the efficiency of the action.

how successfully it was

Substitutes 'well' with 'successfully', highlighting the achievement of a desired outcome.

the degree to which it was

Emphasizes the extent or level of completion or success.

how competently it was

Focuses on the skill and ability with which something was performed.

how nicely it was

Highlights the pleasant or agreeable quality of the execution.

how skillfully it was

Emphasizes the dexterity and expertise involved.

to what extent it was

Focuses on the range or scope of the execution.

how admirably it was

Highlights the praiseworthy or commendable aspect of the action.

how properly it was

Focuses on the correctness and adherence to standards.

how adequately it was

Emphasizes that the execution was sufficient and met the requirements.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to express the idea behind "how well it was"?

Consider using phrases like "how effectively it was", "how successfully it was executed", or "to what extent it was implemented" depending on the specific context. These alternatives offer greater precision and grammatical correctness.

Can "how well it was" be considered acceptable in informal contexts?

While "how well it was" might be understood in casual conversation, it's generally best to opt for more grammatically precise phrasing in formal writing. Alternatives like "how effectively it was" or "how successfully it was" are safer choices.

Is there a difference in meaning between "how well it was done" and "how well it was executed"?

While similar, "how well it was done" focuses on the completion or achievement of a task, whereas "how well it was executed" emphasizes the process and manner in which the task was carried out. Choose the phrasing that best reflects the intended focus.

When should I use "how effectively it was" instead of "how well it was"?

Use "how effectively it was" when you want to emphasize the efficiency and impact of an action. For instance, "We assessed how effectively the new strategy was implemented" highlights the results achieved.