things went smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'things went smoothly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that an event or situation was successful. For example: "I was a little nervous about the presentation, but things went smoothly and everyone seemed to be impressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

At first, things went smoothly.

The Guardian

But after that, things went smoothly.

The New York Times

It was not a fashion event, so things went smoothly".

The New York Times

The first few weeks, things went smoothly -- perhaps because I hardly slept or drank.

The New York Times

Still, talent doesn't mean that things went smoothly for the team.

The Guardian - Sport

So does this mean that things went smoothly at the city's 1,200 schools?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Most of the time, things go smoothly.

The New York Times

And that's if things go smoothly.

The New York Times

Here are some instructions to make sure things go smoothly.

The New Yorker

At none of them did things go smoothly.

The New York Times - Arts

If things go smoothly, Texas A&M's first season in the SEC could be 2012.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things went smoothly" to concisely communicate a positive outcome, especially when describing events or processes where complications are common. For instance, "Despite the initial concerns, the surgery went smoothly."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "things went smoothly" in highly formal or technical reports. Opt for more precise language, such as "the procedure was completed without incident" or "the project progressed according to schedule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things went smoothly" functions as a concise way to express that a process or event occurred without problems or difficulties. It is commonly used to provide a positive assessment of how something transpired, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things went smoothly" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a process or event occurred without significant problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, but may be less appropriate in highly formal or technical writing. When a more sophisticated tone is needed, alternatives like "the process was completed without incident" are preferable. Overall, "things went smoothly" provides a concise and effective way to communicate a positive outcome, emphasizing the absence of complications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything proceeded without a hitch

Emphasizes the complete absence of problems or delays.

everything went off without a problem

Highlights the successful execution without encountering any issues.

the process unfolded seamlessly

Focuses on the smooth and continuous flow of the process.

the operation was a resounding success

Stresses the successful outcome of a specific operation or task.

it all fell into place

Indicates a harmonious and successful arrangement of elements.

the execution was flawless

Emphasizes the perfection and lack of errors in the execution.

there were no complications

Highlights the absence of difficulties or problems.

it was plain sailing

Suggests a straightforward and effortless progression.

everything clicked into place

Similar to 'fell into place', emphasizes the successful alignment of different aspects.

all went according to plan

Expresses that the outcome matched the initial expectations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "things went smoothly" to sound more professional?

Consider using more formal alternatives such as "the process was completed without incident", "the operation was executed successfully", or "the project progressed according to plan". These options offer a more refined tone suitable for professional settings.

What does it mean when someone says "things went smoothly"?

It means that an event, process, or situation was completed without significant problems, delays, or complications. It implies a positive outcome and a lack of unexpected issues.

Is "things went smoothly" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "things went smoothly" might be considered too informal for academic writing. More suitable alternatives could include "the research progressed as expected" or "the experiment yielded consistent results".

What's the difference between "things went well" and "things went smoothly"?

"Things went well" is a more general statement indicating a positive outcome. "Things went smoothly" specifically emphasizes the absence of problems or difficulties during the process.