relatively well

USAGE SUMMARY

'relatively well' is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is not perfect or ideal, but is still better than other things. For example, "My Spanish skills are relatively well, but I still want to improve them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Others do relatively well.

The New York Times - Books

Teachers are relatively well paid.

The Economist

"We've been relatively well protected.

The Guardian

"I think Prague is relatively well prepared.

Independent

Only Dallas has held up relatively well.

The New York Times

"They've done relatively well," Mr. Scavone said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Guizhou's highways are relatively well-developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the students were relatively well-off.

Independent

Another reason is a relatively well-educated and prosperous citizenry.

The New York Times

He is relatively well-off and well-connected.

The Washington Post

Or, more precisely, the shortage of relatively well-­paying jobs.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively well", ensure that the comparison is clear, either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. This helps the reader understand the basis for your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively well" when describing something that is clearly outstanding or exceptional. The phrase implies a degree of adequacy or moderate success, not excellence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively well" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the degree to which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively well" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express a qualified assessment or comparison. Ludwig AI confirms this. It indicates that something is adequate or successful to a certain degree, especially when considered in relation to other factors. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for various writing styles. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared and to avoid overstating the degree of success when using this phrase. It’s often replaceable with phrases like "reasonably good" or "fairly well", adjusting for slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably good

Indicates a similar level of acceptability or satisfaction, but may imply a slightly higher standard.

fairly well

Suggests a comparable level of adequacy, but might be used in slightly more informal contexts.

comparatively good

Highlights the aspect of comparison more explicitly, emphasizing the positive difference.

moderately successful

Focuses specifically on the outcome or achievement, implying a degree of success that is not exceptional.

doing alright

A more colloquial alternative, implying a satisfactory but not necessarily excellent performance.

adequately

Emphasizes the sufficiency of performance, meeting the required standards without excelling.

sufficiently

Similar to 'adequately', highlighting the fact that something is enough to meet the needs.

passably

Suggests something is done well enough to pass or be accepted, often with a hint of reservation.

satisfactorily

Indicates that something meets expectations and provides satisfaction.

tolerably well

Implies that something is done well enough to be tolerated, suggesting a lower standard than "relatively well".

FAQs

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

Use "relatively well" to indicate something performs adequately or better than expected in comparison to other things. For example, "The company's stock performed "relatively well" during the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "relatively well"?

You can use alternatives like "reasonably good", "fairly well", or "comparatively good" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "relatively well" in formal writing?

Yes, "relatively well" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in academic, business, and news contexts.

What's the difference between "relatively well" and "very well"?

"Relatively well" indicates something is good in comparison to something else, while "very well" implies a high degree of performance or quality in an absolute sense.