really well

USAGE SUMMARY

"really well" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that was done to the best of one's ability or with great success. For example, "She performed the song really well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He played really well, served really well.

The New York Times - Sports

It handles really well.

The New Yorker

"It worked really well".

The New York Times - Health

"I did really well".

The New York Times

They did really well.

The Guardian - Sport

He's playing really well.

The New York Times

"He pitched really well".

The New York Times - Sports

Really?? Well, O.K".

The New York Times

It's worked really well.

The New York Times

He's moving really well".

The New York Times - Sports

"Origi did really well.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really well" to emphasize the high quality or success of an action or performance. For example, "She sings really well" indicates a higher level of skill than simply saying "She sings well".

Common error

Avoid using "really well" with verbs that already imply success or high quality. For example, instead of saying "He excelled really well", simply use "He excelled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really well" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, enhancing the meaning of a verb or adjective. It indicates the degree or extent to which an action is performed or a quality is possessed, signifying that something is done effectively or to a high standard, as seen in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really well" is a grammatically sound and versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the quality of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, indicating its broad applicability. While "really well" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's important to avoid redundancy by using it judiciously with verbs that already imply excellence. Consider alternatives like "very effectively" or "exceptionally well" for subtle variations in emphasis. By understanding its function and common usage patterns, you can use "really well" effectively to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very effectively

Replaces "really" with "very" and "well" with "effectively", emphasizing effectiveness.

extremely well

Substitutes "really" with "extremely", intensifying the degree of success.

remarkably well

Replaces "really" with "remarkably", highlighting the unexpected nature of the success.

exceptionally well

Uses "exceptionally" instead of "really", emphasizing the unusual degree of success.

particularly well

Emphasizes that something was done "well" in a specific instance.

incredibly well

Replaces "really" with "incredibly", suggesting a high level of achievement.

decidedly well

Replaces "really" with "decidedly", indicating a clear and definite success.

thoroughly well

Changes "really" to "thoroughly", focusing on the completeness and depth of the success.

splendidly

Replaces "really well" with a single word indicating excellence or impressiveness.

masterfully

Replaces "really well" with a single word that implies great skill and expertise.

FAQs

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

You can use "really well" to describe how effectively something is done. For example, "The team played "really well" during the championship game".

What phrases are similar to "really well"?

Similar phrases include "very effectively", "extremely well", or "exceptionally well", depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "really well"?

While grammatically correct, using "really well" can sometimes be redundant if the verb already implies a high degree of success. In such cases, using just the verb might be more concise.

What is the difference between "really well" and "very well"?

"Really well" and "very well" are often interchangeable, but "really" can sometimes add a slightly more emphatic tone than "very". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of emphasis.