not as well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as well" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when comparing two things that you are judging on the same criteria. For example, "She sang the second song, but not as well as the first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Not as well.

The New York Times - Books

But not as well".

The Guardian

Not as well as it should.

The Economist

"Or at least not as well".

The New York Times - Science

Not as well as Phil Mickelson these days.

The New York Times - Sports

Or at least, not as well.

The New York Times

"It is not as well managed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, Upu is not as well-understood as Umf.

Chemical Engineering Science

The Edwards scale in contrast is not as well-known.

Journal of Economic Psychology

Here, the complexity of temporal reasoning is not as well-studied nor as well-understood.

Artificial Intelligence

We now live in a world where these objectives are not as well-aligned.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not as well", ensure you are comparing two distinct subjects or actions. For example, "He sings, but not as well as his sister."

Common error

Avoid using "not as well" without a clear point of comparison. For instance, instead of just saying "He plays the guitar not as well", specify what he's not playing as well as, such as "He plays the guitar not as well as he plays the piano".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as well" functions as an adverbial modifier used to express a comparison indicating a deficiency in the manner or quality of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not as well" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used for comparative assessments. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its widespread use across diverse sources such as news, academia, and science underscores its acceptability in various writing contexts. When using "not as well", ensure a clear comparison is established. Alternatives like "less effectively" or "not as effectively" can be considered for stylistic variation. Remember, the key to effective usage lies in providing a clear point of reference for the comparison being made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not so well

A slightly less formal variation of the original phrase.

less effectively

A more concise way to express reduced effectiveness.

not quite as effectively

Emphasizes a difference in effectiveness.

not as competently

Focuses on a lack of skill or ability.

not as skillfully

Highlights a lack of expertise or dexterity.

not to the same standard

Highlights a difference in quality or expectation.

not with the same proficiency

Stresses a difference in skill level or mastery.

not ideally

Focuses on the deviation from the ideal or desired outcome.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating something is below expectations.

suboptimally

More formal term to describe a situation which something is not optimal.

FAQs

How can I use "not as well" in a sentence?

Use "not as well" to compare the quality of two actions or the state of two subjects. For example, "She performed the task, but "not as well" as she did last time."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "not as well"?

Alternatives include "less effectively", "not as effectively", or "not to the same standard" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not as well as"?

Yes, the construction "not as well as" is grammatically correct. It's used for comparing two things where one performs better than the other. For instance, "He speaks French, but "not as well" as his wife."

What is the difference between "not as well" and "not so well"?

The phrases "not as well" and "not so well" are often interchangeable, with "not so well" carrying a slightly more informal tone. Both are used to indicate something is done to a lesser degree.