things went well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things went well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that had a positive outcome or was successful. Example: "After weeks of preparation, the event took place, and I'm happy to report that things went well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Hopefully, things went well.

Stanford University

Things went well at first.

The New York Times - Arts

At first things went well.

The Economist

Some things went well.

The New York Times - Sports

But in the end things went well.

The Economist

At first, he said, things went well.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Things going well?

The Guardian

Things going well is also change.

The New York Times

And that's if things go well.

The New Yorker

"It assumes all things go well".

The New York Times

Things go well until they don't.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things went well" to succinctly convey that a process, event, or situation had a positive and satisfactory outcome. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a clear and straightforward message.

Common error

While "things went well" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid relying on it excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more specific and descriptive language to detail the nature of the success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things went well" functions as a concise statement indicating a satisfactory or positive result. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It serves to communicate that a specific event, process, or situation unfolded successfully.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things went well" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to communicate that a situation, event, or process had a positive outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, though might be considered informal in very formal settings. Its frequency in news and media indicates its broad applicability. For formal reports or academic papers, more specific alternatives such as "the outcome was favorable" are recommended. The phrase effectively conveys satisfaction and reassurance, making it a valuable addition to one's communicative toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything turned out fine

This alternative emphasizes the overall positive result of a situation.

it was a success

This phrase directly states that something achieved its intended goal.

the outcome was favorable

This suggests a positive result, often in a more formal context.

it all worked out

Implies that initial uncertainties were resolved positively.

the situation was successful

Focuses on the positive result of a specific situation or event.

all ended well

Highlights a positive conclusion after a series of events.

it proceeded smoothly

Indicates that something happened without problems or difficulties.

the event was a triumph

Expresses a high level of success and achievement.

it met expectations

Suggests that something performed as well as anticipated.

the process was fruitful

Emphasizes the productive and rewarding nature of a process.

FAQs

What does "things went well" mean?

The phrase "things went well" means that a particular event, situation, or endeavor had a positive and successful outcome. It suggests that everything proceeded according to plan or better.

What are some alternatives to "things went well"?

You can use alternatives like "everything turned out fine", "it was a success", or "the outcome was favorable" depending on the context.

How can I use "things went well" in a sentence?

You can use "things went well" to describe a past event or situation, such as: "The presentation was well-received; overall, things went well"."

Is "things went well" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "things went well" may be considered informal for highly formal writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "the outcome was favorable" or "the situation was successful" for a more professional tone.