not so well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action or situation that didn't turn out quite as expected. For example, "I tried baking my first cake, but it didn't turn out so well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, not so well.

The Economist

Others, not so well.

Independent

Not so well, he reported.

The New York Times

The climate, not so well.

The Economist

Others not so well.

Harvard Business Review

Not so well written.

The Guardian - Books

Not so well, Orrell said.

Harvard University

Not so well, she told me.

The New York Times

Not so well with cocaine or Ecstasy.

The New Yorker

How is she?" "Not so well".

The New Yorker

The answer: Not so well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not so well" to soften negative feedback or describe situations that didn't meet expectations without being overly critical. For example, instead of saying "The presentation was terrible", try "The presentation didn't go so well".

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "not so well" in formal writing. While acceptable, it can sound less professional than alternatives like "suboptimal" or "less than ideal". Choose vocabulary that aligns with the tone and audience of your document.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so well" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the manner in which an action is performed or the state of something, indicating a less than satisfactory outcome. Ludwig provides examples across diverse contexts, confirming its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not so well" is a versatile and commonly used expression that serves to soften negative feedback or describe imperfect situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse sources. While suitable for general use, more formal or technical writing may benefit from more precise vocabulary. Its frequent occurrence in News & Media suggests a broad acceptance and understanding among diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very good

Replaces "well" with "good", focusing on the quality rather than the manner.

not particularly good

Adds emphasis to the lack of quality.

not up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate something is below the expected standard.

less than ideal

Presents the situation as falling short of the perfect scenario.

not as expected

Indicates a deviation from what was anticipated.

suboptimal

A more formal term to describe a situation that is not the best possible.

poorly

A simple adverb indicating something was done badly.

badly

A straightforward term expressing a negative outcome.

inadequately

Highlights the insufficiency of something.

deficiently

Suggests a lack or absence of something needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "not so well" to describe something that didn't go as planned or isn't in a good state. For example, "The experiment didn't go "not so well"", or "He's feeling "not so well" today".

What are some alternatives to "not so well"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not very good", "less than ideal", or simply "poorly".

Is "not so well" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not so well" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to express that something is not in a good state or didn't happen successfully.

When is it appropriate to use "not so well" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "not so well" in informal and neutral contexts. In more formal writing, consider using more precise or professional alternatives, like "suboptimal" or "inadequate".