is well under

USAGE SUMMARY

In written English "is well under" is a correct and usable phrase.
You can use it in situations when something is not just under but significantly under the expected amount. For example, "The cost of the project is well under our budget".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Prisoner release is well under way.

The Economist

Politics is well under Kremlin control.

The Economist

"That process is well under way.

Independent

This process is well under way.

The New Yorker

"But my punishment is well under way".

The New York Times

That amount is well under analysts' forecasts.

The New York Times

Much of this is well under way.

The Economist

But spending is well under way.

The New York Times

Khopits's information war is well under way.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet the process is well under way.

The New York Times

The planning is well under way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is well under" to clearly indicate that a value or process is significantly below a certain threshold or progressing steadily. For example, "The project's expenses are well under budget", or "The renovation is well under way".

Common error

Avoid using "is well under" when the difference is marginal or insignificant. The phrase implies a substantial degree of being below the specified limit or far along in progress, so ensure that the context reflects this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is well under" functions as a modifier, indicating the state or degree to which something is below a specific level or the extent to which a process has advanced. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is well under" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is significantly below a certain level or substantially in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Use this phrase when you want to emphasize a notable difference or advancement, and avoid it when the difference is only marginal. Consider alternatives like "is significantly below" or "is far below" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is significantly below

Replaces "well under" with a more direct synonym for being below a certain level.

is substantially less than

Emphasizes the difference in quantity or amount.

is far below

Highlights a greater distance or difference.

is considerably lower than

Focuses on the degree of reduction or decrease.

is in progress

Shifts the focus to the ongoing nature of an action or process, omitting the comparison.

is developing steadily

Highlights gradual advancement, implying a process is unfolding as expected.

is advancing nicely

Suggests satisfactory progression, adding a positive tone.

is moving forward effectively

Emphasizes efficiency and progress in an ongoing activity.

is proceeding smoothly

Focuses on the lack of impediments in the current state.

is steadily unfolding

Highlights a gradual revelation or development.

FAQs

How can I use "is well under" in a sentence?

Use "is well under" to show that something is significantly below a certain level or substantially in progress. Examples: "The cost is well under the estimate", or "Construction is well under way".

What's the difference between "is under" and "is well under"?

"Is under" simply means something is below a certain amount. "Is well under" implies it is significantly or comfortably below that amount. Using "is well under" emphasizes the degree to which it is below.

What can I say instead of "is well under"?

You can use alternatives like "is significantly below", "is substantially less than", or "is far below" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is well under"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is not just slightly below a certain point, but considerably so, or when a process is significantly in progress, beyond initial stages.