this was well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was well" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to express that something was done well, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The presentation was well received, and this was well appreciated by the audience."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This was well written.

The New York Times

By the 1980s this was well established.

The Economist

This was well below analysts' forecasts.

The New York Times

This was well before Flickr and Facebook.

The New Yorker

This was well reflected in our Hackathon.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This was well understood on both sides.

The Guardian - Books

This was well before the popularization of cable.

The Washington Post

A spokesperson for Mary Portas said this was "well documented".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This was well in advance of the government bailouts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This was well-tolerated, and subsequent infusions have been administered beginning with 1 mg doses without adverse effects.

Duke University

This was well-executed TV".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "this was well" with more precise alternatives like "this was good", "this was effectively done", or "this was satisfactory" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "well" directly after "was" when you intend to describe the quality of something. Instead, use an adjective (e.g., "good") or rephrase to use an adverb with a verb (e.g., "this was well received").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was well" functions primarily as a statement, but its grammatical correctness is debated. Ludwig AI flags it as not correct in standard written English, suggesting it lacks clarity. While it appears frequently, its use often implies an incomplete thought or requires further context to be fully understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "this was well" appears frequently across various sources, including News & Media and scientific publications, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable in standard written English. Its function is often ambiguous, requiring careful consideration of context. For enhanced clarity, alternatives like "this was good", "this was satisfactory", or "this was effectively done" are recommended. Pay close attention to the intended meaning and select the most fitting and grammatically sound option to ensure precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was good

Replaces "well" with a more straightforward and grammatically sound adjective.

this was satisfactory

Offers a more formal alternative, implying that something met the required standard.

this was effectively done

Emphasizes the successful execution of an action or task.

this was skillfully executed

Highlights the expertise and finesse involved in performing an action.

this was adequately addressed

Indicates that a particular issue or problem received sufficient attention.

this was thoroughly examined

Stresses the comprehensiveness and detail of an investigation or review.

this was properly handled

Focuses on the correctness and appropriateness of how something was managed or dealt with.

this was correctly implemented

Highlights the accuracy and precision of putting a plan or system into effect.

this was suitably arranged

Implies that something was organized or planned in a fitting manner.

this was admirably achieved

Emphasizes the praiseworthiness and success of a particular accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "well" after "was"?

The word "well" is an adverb and usually modifies a verb, not a noun or pronoun. If you want to describe something using "well" after "was", consider rephrasing the sentence. For example, instead of saying "this was well", you could say "this was good".

What alternatives can I use instead of "this was well"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "this was good", "this was satisfactory", or "this was effectively done".

Is "this was well" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "this was well" is generally considered incorrect. It's better to use an adjective after "was" (e.g., "this was good") or rephrase the sentence to use an adverb correctly.

When is it appropriate to use "well" in a sentence?

The word "well" is appropriately used as an adverb to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb. For example, "He performed well" or "The plan was well-received". It can also be used as an adjective referring to health (e.g., "I am well").