it went smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it went smoothly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that proceeded without any problems or difficulties. Example: "The meeting was well-organized, and it went smoothly from start to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It went smoothly, but the cataracts render it useless.

The New York Times - Science

One of the pilots involved in the mission on Thursday said it went smoothly.

The Guardian

It went smoothly until Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg spoke of "an appropriate, lasting, eternal memorial".

The New York Times

I was told to cover and it went smoothly, I never had to go back to the little room.

Independent

It went smoothly, Katz said; Meno even liked the fact that Katz and his co-writer, Adriana Campoy, took liberties with the story.

The New Yorker

The session took place at Trident Studios in London using an eight-track recorder: "It went smoothly," recalls Buckmaster, "we did the basic track first, with David on jumbo guitar [large body acoustic], together with the rest of the rhythm section and Rick Wakeman's Mellotron, then David's vocal and Stylophone [a pocket-sized, stylus-operated electronic keyboard], and finally, strings and flutes".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Once you've figured out how to start the process, it goes smoothly.

The New York Times

That was the beginning of horror: the retreat from Kabul, which would have been deeply humiliating even had it gone smoothly, did not go smoothly.

The Guardian - Books

"But if the deal would give our members jobs and job security, we would help it go smoothly".

The New York Times

And so it goes, smoothly, fluidly, with breathtaking delicacy, but one plus one almost invariably equals two.

The New York Times

It goes smoothly, save for a minor incident in which a freshman who had never been in a booth before got stuck.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it went smoothly" to describe events, processes, or operations that were completed without complications. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it went smoothly" when describing situations that involved significant effort or complex problem-solving, even if the final outcome was positive. It's better to highlight the effort involved to better reflect the reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it went smoothly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb "went" to describe the manner in which an event or process occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and correct way to indicate a lack of problems or difficulties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it went smoothly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the successful and uncomplicated completion of an event or process. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, mainly in News & Media. To ensure appropriate usage, avoid using "it went smoothly" when acknowledging hidden complexities of a particular situation. For alternative expressions, you can use phrases such as "it proceeded without a hitch" or "it transpired seamlessly" for more nuanced conveying.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proceeded without a hitch

This alternative emphasizes the absence of any obstacles or interruptions.

it transpired seamlessly

This alternative suggests a smooth and effortless progression.

it unfolded effortlessly

This alternative focuses on the lack of struggle or difficulty.

it ran like clockwork

This alternative implies precision and perfect timing.

it all came together perfectly

This alternative highlights the successful coordination of different elements.

it concluded successfully

This alternative emphasizes the positive outcome or result.

it progressed swimmingly

This alternative uses a more informal and figurative expression.

it was a resounding success

This alternative emphasizes the high degree of achievement.

it worked out perfectly

This alternative focuses on the favorable resolution of a situation.

everything fell into place

This alternative highlights the alignment of events leading to a successful outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it went smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use "it went smoothly" to describe an event or process that occurred without any problems or difficulties. For instance, "The presentation was well-prepared, and "it went smoothly" from beginning to end".

What are some alternatives to saying "it went smoothly"?

Alternatives include "it proceeded without a hitch", "it transpired seamlessly", or "it unfolded effortlessly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it went smooth" grammatically correct instead of "it went smoothly"?

No, "it went smooth" is not grammatically correct. The adverb "smoothly" is needed to modify the verb "went". Saying "it went smoothly" is correct.

When is it not appropriate to use the phrase "it went smoothly"?

Avoid using "it went smoothly" when describing situations where significant effort or hidden complexities were involved, even if the outcome was ultimately successful. In such cases, it is more accurate to acknowledge the challenges faced.