well in advance

USAGE SUMMARY

"well in advance" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was done a substantial amount of time before it was due. For example, "We had to book the flight well in advance to secure the best price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reserve well in advance.

The New York Times - Travel

Reservations should be made well in advance.

The New York Times - Travel

The ground was laid well in advance.

The Economist

Book rooms well in advance.

The Guardian - Travel

Plan your payments well in advance.

The New York Times

We planned this well in advance.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, they are booked well in advance.

The New York Times - Travel

"It sold out well in advance".

The New York Times

Make the relish well in advance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can make this well in advance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Call well in advance to reserve.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning events or tasks with multiple dependencies, use "well in advance" to ensure all prerequisites are completed without causing bottlenecks.

Common error

While both phrases indicate doing something ahead of time, using just "in advance" might imply a shorter timeframe. Use "well in advance" to emphasize a more substantial period of preparation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well in advance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate that an action occurs with considerable time beforehand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

36%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well in advance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the importance of early planning and preparation. As Ludwig AI notes, it's a common expression suitable for various contexts. While generally neutral in register, alternative phrases may be preferred in more formal or specific situations. It is particularly useful when highlighting the need for a substantial lead time to avoid potential issues. From booking reservations to preparing for exams, planning "well in advance" ensures a smoother process and better outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far in advance

Emphasizes the significant amount of time before an event.

long beforehand

Highlights the temporal gap between preparation and the event.

well ahead of time

Similar meaning, but with a slightly more informal tone.

considerably earlier

Focuses on the action happening at an earlier point.

with ample time

Highlights the sufficient amount of time available.

sufficiently early

Stresses the earliness of the action, ensuring preparedness.

in good time

Implies timeliness and preparedness without emphasizing earliness as much.

well before the deadline

Specific to situations with deadlines, emphasizing avoidance of last-minute rush.

with plenty of leeway

Highlights having extra time to accommodate potential issues.

a good while before

Suggests a comfortable margin of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "well in advance" to emphasize that something was done with considerable time to spare before it was needed. For example, "We booked our tickets "far in advance"" or "The project was planned "sufficiently early"".

What are some alternatives to saying "well in advance"?

Several alternatives exist, including "long beforehand", "well ahead of time", or "considerably earlier", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is there a difference between "in advance" and "well in advance"?

Yes, "well in advance" suggests a more significant period of preparation compared to just "in advance". Using "well" emphasizes a greater buffer of time.

When is it most appropriate to use "well in advance"?

Use "well in advance" when you want to stress the importance of planning or preparing something with a substantial amount of lead time, particularly when potential delays or complications are anticipated.