if all goes well

USAGE SUMMARY

"if all goes well" is a phrase that is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing optimism or hope that something will happen as expected or planned. For example, "We're almost finished with the project. If all goes well, we should have it done by the end of next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's if all goes well.

The New Yorker

If all goes well, Khabie operates unseen.

The New York Times - Sports

If all goes well, it surely will.

The New York Times - Arts

That is if all goes well.

The New York Times - Sports

And if all goes well, a third.

The New York Times

That's the plan if all goes well.

The Guardian - Sport

Stock is more expensive, if all goes well.

The New York Times

If all goes well, production will start in January.

The New York Times

If all goes well, they may pursue a movie.

The New York Times

But, if all goes well, in 2018 we'll be finished.

The New Yorker

But if all goes well, this will soon change.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if all goes well" to express a cautiously optimistic outlook. It's best suited when there are potential obstacles, but you are hopeful for a positive resolution.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid using "if all goes well" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "provided that conditions remain favorable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if all goes well" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a clause. Ludwig examples confirm that it introduces a conditional statement expressing hope for a favorable outcome. It sets a condition upon which the main clause depends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if all goes well" is a common and versatile phrase used to express cautious optimism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it may be prudent to use more formal alternatives in certain academic or professional settings. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a conditional expectation of a positive outcome, contingent on favorable circumstances. Alternatives include "all being well" and "assuming everything proceeds smoothly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all being well

A shorter, more concise way of expressing the same sentiment.

assuming everything proceeds smoothly

Emphasizes the smooth progression of events as a condition.

if everything works out as planned

Highlights the adherence to a plan as a condition for success.

should everything turn out favorably

Focuses on a favorable outcome as a condition.

assuming no unforeseen issues arise

Highlights the absence of unexpected problems.

providing there are no complications

Highlights the absence of complications as a prerequisite.

contingent on a positive outcome

Positions the success as reliant on a beneficial result.

given favorable circumstances

Specifies conducive conditions as a requirement.

if fortune smiles

Uses a more metaphorical expression to indicate a favorable outcome.

with a bit of luck

Implies that luck will play a role in the desired outcome.

FAQs

What does "if all goes well" mean?

The phrase "if all goes well" expresses hope that a plan or expectation will be fulfilled without problems or setbacks. It indicates a conditional optimism about the future.

How can I use "if all goes well" in a sentence?

You can use "if all goes well" to introduce a potential positive outcome, like: "We plan to launch the new product next quarter; "if all goes well", it will significantly increase our revenue."

What can I say instead of "if all goes well"?

You can use alternatives like "assuming everything proceeds smoothly", "all being well", or "should everything turn out favorably" depending on the context.

Is "if all goes well" formal or informal?

The phrase "if all goes well" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for everyday conversation and many types of writing, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or very professional settings.