not well done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not well done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been executed or completed to a satisfactory standard. Example: "The presentation was not well done, and it failed to engage the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Food

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Language is quite simply not well done".

The Guardian - Music

But all too often it was not well done.

Britannica

Grill quickly, until crisp but not well done.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Perhaps some of our investigations were not well done," Mr. Chavez said.

The New York Times

You find, like, five papers, and they are not well done".

The New York Times

"Whenever there was a gas leakage, it came out because the cement was not well done," says Franz-Josef Ulm, a civil and environmental engineering professor at MIT.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

If not, well, don't even ask.

The Guardian - Opinion

No, not — Well, did you talk to al-Zawahiri?

The New Yorker

Q: I don't well did they make the fire.

Cornell University

I wrote "The Book of Broken Promises; $400 Billion Broadband Scandal & Free the Net" to tell the complete story about how we ended up in this mess and what should happen next, as it is time to fix telecom, not simply congratulate the companies on a job not-well done.

Huffington Post

Grill wild salmon (preferably king or sockeye) until not-well-done.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not well done" to describe tasks, projects, or creative works that didn't meet the desired standard, avoiding overly harsh language.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "not well done" without explaining why. Provide specific details about what aspects were lacking or could be improved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not well done" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its quality or state. Ludwig shows it's used to express that something has not been completed or performed to a satisfactory standard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Food

6%

Arts

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not well done" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase to express that something has not been executed or completed to a satisfactory standard. Ludwig AI indicates its use across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and wikis, with a neutral register. While it's a straightforward way to offer criticism, providing specific feedback can enhance its impact. Consider alternatives like "poorly executed" or "badly done" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly executed

Focuses on the quality of the execution being substandard.

badly done

Emphasizes the poor quality of the work or action.

inadequately performed

Highlights the lack of adequacy in the performance.

subpar

A concise way to indicate something is below the expected standard.

not up to par

Similar to 'subpar', but more descriptive and direct.

deficient

Stresses a lack or shortage in required qualities.

imperfect

Highlights the presence of flaws or shortcomings.

flawed

Focuses on the existence of specific defects or errors.

incomplete

Indicates that something is unfinished or lacking essential parts.

unsatisfactory

Expresses that something fails to meet expectations or requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "not well done" to describe something that hasn't been completed to a satisfactory standard. For example, "The presentation was "not well done", and it failed to engage the audience."

What are some alternatives to saying "not well done"?

You can use alternatives like "poorly executed", "badly done", or "inadequately performed" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "not well done"?

It's appropriate to use "not well done" when you want to express that something hasn't been executed to a high standard, but be sure to provide specific reasons or examples. Avoid using it in overly formal or polite contexts where a more tactful phrasing might be preferred.

What's the difference between "not well done" and "poorly executed"?

While both phrases convey that something wasn't done to a satisfactory standard, "poorly executed" often emphasizes the method or technique used, whereas "not well done" can refer to the overall result, regardless of the specific execution. They are largely interchangeable, but "poorly executed" might sound more critical.