was well-received

USAGE SUMMARY

"was well-received" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been favorably accepted by its audience. For example, "The new album was well-received by critics and fans alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"He was well-received.

The Guardian

The strategy was well-received.

The Guardian

The announcement was well-received.

The Guardian

Kim's talk was well-received.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama was well-received.

The New York Times

She was well-received.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Poplavskaya was well received.

The New Yorker

And it was well received.

The New York Times

His speech was well received.

The Economist

Otherwise, however, Hollande was well received.

The New York Times

It was well received by critics.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was well-received" to clearly communicate a positive reception of an event, idea, or product. Ensure the context supports the positive connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "was well-received" when an active voice construction would be more impactful. For example, instead of "The proposal was well-received by the board", consider "The board welcomed the proposal enthusiastically".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was well-received" functions as a passive voice construction used to describe how something was received or perceived. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is typically followed by a prepositional phrase indicating who did the receiving, e.g., "was well-received by critics."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was well-received" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a positive reception or approval of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for neutral contexts and frequently used in news, media, and wiki sources. When writing, remember that while "was well-received" conveys a positive reception, ensure the context aligns with this meaning. Consider using active voice alternatives for a more direct and impactful statement. Furthermore, its frequent usage and authoritative source appearances make it a solid choice for clearly expressing positive receptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was favorably received

Replaces "well" with "favorably", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

met with approval

This alternative focuses on the explicit positive reaction, emphasizing agreement and support.

was greeted positively

Shifts the focus to the act of greeting, suggesting a warm and welcoming reception.

resonated well

Indicates that the subject connected successfully with an audience or environment.

garnered praise

Highlights that the subject obtained accolades and positive feedback.

found favor

Indicates that the subject was perceived positively and gained approval or preference.

was welcomed enthusiastically

Emphasizes the excitement and eagerness in the reception, indicating a high level of approval.

was applauded

Indicates explicit approval and admiration from an audience or critics.

was embraced

Suggests a warm, accepting, and supportive reception, emphasizing inclusion and approval.

struck a chord

Suggests that the subject resonated deeply with people, eliciting a strong emotional response.

FAQs

How can I use "was well-received" in a sentence?

Use "was well-received" to indicate that something has garnered positive feedback or approval. For example, "The new policy was well-received by the employees".

What can I say instead of "was well-received"?

You can use alternatives like "met with approval", "was favorably received", or "garnered praise" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was well-received by critics"?

Yes, "was well-received by critics" is a correct and common construction to indicate that critics responded positively to something, such as a movie, book, or performance.

What's the difference between "was well-received" and "was well-accepted"?

"Was well-received" implies a positive or enthusiastic reception, while "was well-accepted" simply means something was agreed upon or tolerated without necessarily generating excitement. The phrase "was well-received" usually suggests a more favorable response than "was well-accepted".