not really well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not really well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of proficiency or satisfaction with something, often in response to a question about how well something is going. Example: "How are you handling the new project? Well, I'm not really well with the deadlines, to be honest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"But it's not really well coordinated".

The New York Times

"It has minimal responsibilities and is not really well defined.

The New York Times

But the fact of the matter is that interiors are frequently not really well thought out.

The New York Times

"[The attack] gives a message that the Egyptian security forces are not really well trained.

The Guardian

They're not really well off, so he decides to start making crystal meth, the drug, to make money.

The New York Times

"But things are not really well because there is a lack of business and a substantial outflow of deposits".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"My collection is not really well-related to the American wing, which is largely historical," he wrote in the book).

The New York Times

As his daughter Ivanka remarked in her introductory speech (which my colleague Amy Davidson wrote about), Trump can be described as "famous but not really well-known".

The New Yorker

But they are still nocturnal, not easily housebroken and not really well-suited to live in a house with human beings, said Anna V. Kukekova, of the University of Illinois, who studies the genetics of the foxes.

The New York Times - Science

"We had some issues with making a commitment to a company that was not really well-proven," said Thomas Bacon, senior vice president for marketing and planning at American Eagle.

The New York Times

"Here we are chasing an issue that other people are taking a good look at that we are not really well-equipped to examine properly and is too politically charged to end up with something with integrity".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not really well" to express a nuanced assessment, indicating something is more than just "not well" but stopping short of being truly deficient. It adds a layer of subtlety to your evaluation.

Common error

While acceptable, "not really well" can become repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "not very well" or more descriptive adjectives to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not really well" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying the degree to which an action is performed or a state is achieved. It indicates a level of performance or condition that is below satisfactory but not entirely poor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not really well" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing a qualified assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While common in news and media, as well as academic contexts, it leans towards a neutral to informal register. When using "not really well", be mindful of potential overuse and consider alternatives like ""not very well"" or more descriptive adjectives to maintain clarity and engagement. It’s a versatile phrase for softening criticism, but precise language may be required for formal or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very well

A more common and direct synonym, indicating a simple lack of competence or success.

not particularly well

Emphasizes a lack of distinction or special quality, suggesting a more moderate deficiency than "not really well".

not especially well

Similar to "not particularly well", but may imply a slightly stronger deviation from expected standards.

not so well

Implies a comparison, suggesting a decline from a previous or expected standard of performance.

poorly

A simple and direct adverb indicating a low quality of performance or execution.

not adequately

Focuses on the insufficiency of performance to meet a required standard or need.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is below the expected standard.

suboptimally

A more formal term denoting that something is less than the best or most effective.

not favorably

Suggests a lack of positive reception or outcome, rather than a direct assessment of performance.

deficiently

Highlights a specific lack or shortage in some essential quality or element.

FAQs

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

You can use "not really well" to express that something is below the expected standard, but not entirely poor. For example, "The project was "not really well" planned, but we managed to make it work".

What phrases are similar to "not really well"?

Similar phrases include "not very well", "not so well", or "not particularly well". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not really well" or "not very well"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""not very well"" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing. "Not really well" can sound slightly more informal or conversational.

Can "not really well" be used to describe a person's health?

While grammatically possible, it's more common to say someone is "not feeling well" or "not doing well" to describe a person's health. "Not really well" is usually reserved for describing the quality of something.