moderately well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moderately well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of performance or ability that is above average but not exceptional. Example: "She performed moderately well on the exam, scoring just above the class average."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Respectable, middle-class, moderately well off.

The New York Times - Books

This works moderately well with traditional media.

The Economist

She had high blood pressure and diabetes, both diagnosed recently and moderately well controlled.

The New York Times - Magazine

Such moves could, of course, upset the moderately well off as much as the super-rich.

The Guardian - Money

Roseanna sold moderately well, there were even one or two good reviews.

The Guardian - Books

She works hard at her physical Japanese mannerisms and manages them moderately well.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Even a moderately well-known musician can reach fans without a middleman.

The New York Times - Arts

Just check the Twitter @-replies of any moderately well-known artist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Manufacturing has traditionally been better able to provide moderately well-paid, reasonably secure work.

The Guardian

What we need to be a healthy nation are good, steady, moderately well-paid jobs and decent, affordable homes.

The Guardian - Opinion

THE fashionable new slogan in China is xiaokang shehui, or "moderately well-off society".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moderately well" to describe situations or performances that are better than average but not outstanding. It's ideal when you want to avoid overstating success or quality.

Common error

While "moderately well" is acceptable in most situations, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound hesitant or lacking confidence. In these contexts, consider stronger alternatives such as "effectively", "successfully", or "proficiently" to convey greater assurance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderately well" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the degree to which an action is performed or a condition is met. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies a level above average without being exceptional. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express the extent of success or quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "moderately well" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a level of performance or quality that is above average but not exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts. Its usage is particularly common in news and media, science, and wiki articles. While it may be replaced with stronger alternatives like "effectively" in highly formal settings, it generally conveys a balanced and nuanced assessment. Related phrases include "fairly well" and "reasonably well". Understanding the contexts and nuances of "moderately well" will enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly well

Suggests a slightly more common or neutral alternative.

reasonably well

Emphasizes the adequacy of the performance or condition.

somewhat well

Indicates a slightly weaker degree of success.

adequately well

Directly implies that the performance meets the required standard.

passably well

Suggests a minimal level of acceptance or success.

acceptably well

Focuses on the acceptability of the outcome.

sufficiently well

Highlights that the level of success is enough for the purpose.

serviceably well

Implies that the performance is functional and adequate.

tolerably well

Indicates that the performance is just about satisfactory.

satisfactorily well

Highlights that the outcome is good enough to satisfy the need.

FAQs

How can I use "moderately well" in a sentence?

Use "moderately well" to describe an action, performance, or condition that is above average but not exceptional. For example, "The student performed "moderately well" on the exam", or "The new system is functioning "moderately well" since the update".

What are some alternatives to saying "moderately well"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "fairly well", "reasonably well", or "somewhat well". These options convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

Is it better to say "moderately well" or "very well"?

"Very well" indicates a high degree of success or proficiency, while "moderately well" suggests a level that is above average but not outstanding. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of success or quality you want to convey.

What's the difference between "moderately well" and "adequately"?

"Adequately" implies meeting a minimum requirement or standard, while "moderately well" suggests exceeding that minimum to a noticeable extent. Something that performs "moderately well" is better than something that performs merely "adequately".