vary well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'vary well' is not correct and should not be used in written English.
The correct phrase is 'very well'. Example: I understand the lesson very well.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

it may vary well tell you whether this app is a good app for you or not, or that other fees may incur(such as subscription to the website version of the app may result).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The LRR was varied well beyond the published annual rate from the TARGIT-A trial in sensitivity analysis [ 9].

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

The new £400,000 trails at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods (bit.ly/IcEBvP) are a rare wonder: varied, well-maintained mountain bike trails on the edge of a big city.

The Guardian - Travel

They can also provide civilised, trilingual audiences interested in other cultures and literature in general at the drop of a jewel-like pastry, and can lavish readers with pleasant venues, varied, well-advertised events and proper arts coverage.

The Guardian - Books

Three of the mixtapes in his "Trash In The Bassment" series are available at his MySpace page; all are swift, varied, well-curated and reliable delivery systems of pleasure.

The New Yorker

It offers varied, well-tested, and sophisticated tools, to routinely deal with any soluble protein that does not exceed a certain molecular weight.

Chemical Reviews

But the ease of accessibility will vary from well to well.

The Economist

But research is complicated by the fact that these chemicals tend to vary from well to well, with names and quantities not always disclosed by the fracking company.

Huffington Post

The time for tracer movement to the abstraction wells varied with well spacing as predicted for a homogeneous isotropic continuum.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Wages vary as well.

The New York Times

Submarket definitions vary as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "vary well" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "very well" or phrases like "vary significantly" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

The phrase "vary well" is often mistakenly used in place of "very well". "Very well" means "satisfactorily" or "to a high degree", while "vary" means "to differ". Ensure you choose the correct phrase based on your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary well" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "vary" means to differ, and it cannot be directly modified by "well" to indicate a high degree of something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase should not be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vary well" is considered grammatically incorrect in English. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's advisable to avoid this phrase in writing. While the intention behind its use might be to convey a significant degree of variation or a satisfactory level of performance, more appropriate alternatives like "very well", "vary significantly", or "differ considerably" should be used instead. Its rare occurrence across diverse sources underscores its non-standard usage, making it unsuitable for formal and informal contexts alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fluctuate effectively

Emphasizes the up-and-down changes with a positive outcome.

alter significantly

Focuses on a considerable change being made.

change substantially

Highlights a notable degree of modification.

differ markedly

Stresses a clear and obvious difference.

evolve successfully

Indicates development or change with a positive result.

progress satisfactorily

Highlights advancement or improvement reaching an acceptable level.

develop favorably

Implies a positive or advantageous unfolding.

shift considerably

Emphasizes a significant movement or alteration.

improve greatly

Focuses on a large positive change or enhancement.

transform completely

Indicates a radical change in form or appearance.

FAQs

Is "vary well" grammatically correct?

No, "vary well" is not a grammatically correct phrase in standard English. The correct phrase to use when indicating something is done to a high degree is "very well".

What does "very well" mean, and how is it different from "vary well"?

"Very well" means "satisfactorily" or "to a high degree". "Vary" means "to differ", so "vary well" doesn't make sense grammatically. Use alternatives like "fluctuate effectively" or "differ markedly" if you want to express changes to a high degree.

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

You can use "very well" to describe something done to a high standard or to indicate agreement. For example, "She sings very well" or "Very well, I will do as you ask."

What are some alternatives to using "very well" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "extremely well", "exceptionally well", or "remarkably well". If you intend to describe variations, consider phrases like "vary significantly" or "differ considerably".