well enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'well enough' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something is doing adequately or satisfactory. For example, "She passed her math exam well enough to get a B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He played well enough".

The New York Times - Sports

Well enough of that.

Independent

Things begin well enough.

The New York Times - Books

When I'm well enough.

The New York Times

"It's going well enough".

The New York Times

Not well enough though.

Independent

Things started well enough.

Independent

It started well enough.

The New York Times - Sports

She spoke well enough.

The New York Times - Books

"I liked him well enough".

The New York Times

Things started out well enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well enough" to convey a sense of adequacy or sufficiency, especially when expectations are not particularly high or when a higher degree of performance is not necessary. This is particularly useful when setting the standard for a task, performance or quality.

Common error

Avoid using "well enough" in contexts where excellence or outstanding performance is expected. Overusing this phrase might imply a lack of ambition or a willingness to settle for mediocrity when a higher standard is desired. Instead, opt for terms like "exceptionally well" or "outstandingly" to communicate excellence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well enough" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent or degree to which something is done or performed. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express that something is adequate or satisfactory for a particular purpose, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well enough" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is satisfactory or adequate, without necessarily being exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While it conveys a sense of sufficiency, it's crucial to avoid overusing it when excellence is expected. Instead, alternatives like "sufficiently well" or "adequately well" may be considered to maintain clarity and context. Being mindful of its communicative purpose, register, and potential for overuse ensures effective and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently well

Replaces "enough" with "sufficiently", emphasizing adequacy.

adequately well

Substitutes "enough" with "adequately", highlighting a satisfactory but not outstanding level of performance.

satisfactorily

Focuses on the satisfaction derived from the level of performance or condition.

acceptably well

Emphasizes the acceptance of the level of performance.

decently enough

Uses "decently" to convey an acceptable standard.

passably well

Indicates a level of performance that is just acceptable.

fairly well

Indicates a moderate level of quality or success.

reasonably well

Suggests a rational or justifiable level of performance.

competently

Highlights the skill and ability to perform something adequately.

tolerably well

Suggests a level of performance that is bearable but not necessarily desirable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "well enough" is typically used to indicate that something is satisfactory or adequate, but not necessarily exceptional. For example, "She sang "well enough" to pass the audition" or "The car runs "well enough" for daily commutes".

What are some alternatives to "well enough"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "sufficiently well", "adequately well", or "satisfactorily" as alternatives to "well enough".

Is it ever appropriate to use "well enough" in a formal setting?

Yes, "well enough" can be used in formal settings when you want to convey that something meets a certain standard without exceeding it. However, consider your audience and the specific context to ensure that it doesn't come across as dismissive or lacking ambition.

What's the difference between "well enough" and "very well"?

"Well enough" suggests that something meets a minimum requirement or standard, while "very well" indicates a high level of performance or quality. The former is about adequacy, while the latter is about excellence. For example: The team performed "well enough" to avoid relegation vs the team performed "very well" and won the championship.