things are running smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things are running smoothly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a situation or process is proceeding without any problems or difficulties. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced at the beginning of the project, I’m happy to report that things are running smoothly now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"We have regular operations and things are running smoothly".

The New York Times

The publisher explains on its website, "For the time being and until we have been able to get everybody access to GTA Online and things are running smoothly, we have disabled the option of purchasable GTA$ cash packs.

The Guardian - Tech

Trump also added of the Badger State in general: "Wisconsin has a lot of problems, plus there is tremendous hatred … I wouldn't exactly say that things are running smoothly".

The Guardian

"For the time being and until we have been able to get everybody access to GTA Online and things are running smoothly, we have disabled the option of purchasable GTA$ cash packs," said the company in a statement on their support site.

Independent

Most buying companies check in regularly with the acquired teams to make sure things are running smoothly.

TechCrunch

Once it's completed, there will be a staff of about 35 people in the building; mostly technical staff to make sure things are running smoothly.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The rain had let up, and things were running smoothly and more or less on time.

The New York Times - Arts

Bush brought his mother in for classroom visits and dropped by unannounced to make sure that things were running smoothly.

The New Yorker

"In the years of apartheid, things were running smoothly," said Mr. Kgamedi, who works at a car licensing office.

The New York Times

A couple of Tuesdays ago, Election Day came around again, and E.S. & S. had sent more technicians to make sure things were running smoothly.

The New Yorker

The team started at 3 a.m., and by lunchtime, the engineers gathered in the war rooms, many with bags under their eyes, and appeared satisfied things were running smoothly.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things are running smoothly" followed by a brief explanation or justification. This clarifies the reasons behind the positive assessment, reinforcing confidence in the situation's stability.

Common error

Avoid using "things are running smoothly" in highly formal reports or academic papers where more precise and technical language is expected. Instead, opt for phrases like "operations are proceeding as expected" or "the system is functioning optimally".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are running smoothly" serves as a declarative statement. It functions to provide assurance, report on progress, or describe a current state of affairs positively. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a lack of issues or problems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things are running smoothly" is a commonly used phrase that indicates a situation or process is proceeding without issues. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood. It's suitable for general communication and professional settings, as shown by examples from news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. However, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or highly formal reports. While the phrase conveys a sense of order and stability, it's essential to provide context for clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "everything is in order" or "operations are normal" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything is in order

This alternative suggests a state of affairs where all aspects are correctly aligned and functioning.

all is well

This phrase implies a general sense of peace and satisfactory conditions, often used for reassurance.

operations are normal

This alternative is more specific to business or technical contexts, indicating standard operational procedures.

the system is functioning properly

This is a technical alternative indicating that the system has no issues.

everything's going according to plan

This phrase indicates that progress aligns with the initial expectations.

there are no complications

This alternative highlights the absence of difficulties or problems.

all systems are go

This phrase indicates readiness and smooth execution, often used in project management and space missions.

business as usual

This alternative suggests that routine activities are being carried out without disruption.

we're on track

This phrase indicates that progress is being made according to schedule.

the process is seamless

This highlights the smooth and effortless nature of a particular process.

FAQs

What does it mean when "things are running smoothly"?

It means that a process, project, or situation is proceeding without problems or difficulties. It suggests that everything is in order and functioning as expected.

How can I use "things are running smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a current state, such as, "After the initial setbacks, "things are running smoothly" now" or "The new system implementation was successful; "things are running smoothly"."

What are some alternatives to saying "things are running smoothly"?

Alternatives include "everything is in order", "all is well", or "operations are normal", depending on the context.

Is "things are running smoothly" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, it might be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise and professional language, such as "operations are proceeding as expected".