well is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well is" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in specific contexts, but it typically requires additional words to form a complete thought or sentence. Example: "How well is the project progressing?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

O'Neal, well, is not.

The New York Times

The leaking well is capped.

The Economist

Well, is he often right?

The New York Times - Sports

Not well is the message".

The Guardian

Well, is it irony?

The New York Times - Magazine

Eating well is easy.

The New York Times - Travel

To marry well is to marry Murdoch.

The New Yorker

The well is 75 feet deep.

The New Yorker

Philanthropy, done well, is a serious undertaking.

The Economist

(Also, "as well" is redundant after "also").

The New York Times

Singing, done well, is certainly sexy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to describe a positive state or effective performance, rephrase "well is" as "is well" or use a more descriptive verb phrase such as "functions well" or "performs well."

Common error

Avoid using "well is" when intending to say "is well". The correct word order is crucial for grammatical accuracy and clarity. For example, instead of "Things going well is also change" use "Things going well are also change."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well is" functions primarily as an incorrect or incomplete predication. Ludwig AI indicates that it often violates standard grammatical rules, requiring rephrasing for clarity and correctness. While examples exist, their frequent misuse highlights the need for caution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "well is" appears frequently, Ludwig AI highlights its grammatical incorrectness in most contexts. To ensure clarity and correctness, it's best to rephrase using alternatives such as "is well", "functions well", or "performs well", depending on the intended meaning. Although "well is" can be found in diverse sources, including news and media, its use should be approached with caution, especially in formal or professional writing, where grammatical precision is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is well

Reverses the word order to form a grammatically correct statement about someone or something being in good condition.

is doing well

Adds the verb "doing" to describe the manner or success with which someone or something is progressing.

functions well

Focuses on the effective operation or performance of something.

performs well

Similar to 'functions well' but emphasizes the level of execution or presentation.

is in good condition

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive expression about the state of something.

is in a good state

Similar to "is in good condition", emphasizing a generally positive condition.

how well it is

Adds context to show how well something is done

it is well

Reorders the words to make it grammatically correct and to express that everything is satisfactory.

is doing fine

Suggests that someone or something is managing adequately or without significant problems.

is thriving

Implies that someone or something is not just doing well but is flourishing and growing.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "well is" in a sentence?

The phrase "well is" is usually incorrect. You can correct it by inverting the order to "is well" or using a more complete verb phrase such as "functions well" or "performs well".

What are some alternatives to "well is" when describing a person's health?

Instead of "well is", you can say "is doing well", "is in good health", or simply "is well".

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "well is"?

The phrase "well is" is rarely correct on its own. It might appear as part of a question, such as "how well is" something progressing?" but even in these cases it usually needs other context.

What's the difference between "well is" and "is well"?

"Well is" is generally grammatically incorrect. "Is well" is the correct order to describe a state of being, for example, "He is well".