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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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well literate

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"well literate" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
To describe someone as literate, you would say that they are "well-read" or "well-educated." For example, "She is a well-educated and well-read lawyer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For somebody like Wei Ziqi — pragmatic as well as literate — law is a natural subject of interest.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Respondents from urban areas were more likely to possess mobile phones compared to those in rural areas (OR = 1.51: 95% CI = 1.03-2.23) as well as literate respondents compared those unable to read (OR = 3.74; 95%: 2.46-5.69).

In the search for an origin of ritual, research turned from the well-known literate cultures to those that appeared to be less complex and preliterate.

"The Jane Austen Book Club" is such a well-acted, literate adaptation of Karen Joy Fowler's 2004 best seller that your impulse is to forgive it for being the formulaic, feel-good chick flick that it is.

News & Media

The New York Times

In order to stay current in this business, in a city like New York, you have to be well-read, literate, so as a practice you have to try all the new restaurants, in the same way that I buy just about every cookbook, just to know what's going on.

News & Media

The New York Times

(Scott) 'THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB' (PG-13, 105 minutes) You can question the movie's conceit that the novels of Jane Austen are an ideal guidebook to personal fulfillment for the modern American woman, but it is such a well-acted, literate adaptation of Karen Joy Fowler's 2004 bestseller that your impulse is to forgive it for being the formulaic, feel-good chick flick that it is.

News & Media

The New York Times

A poor person can be deprived of a future life as a well-nourished, literate, decently employed person.

It also offers a publisher's dream demographic well-off, literate people with a yen for the written word.

News & Media

Forbes

Expect to hear more from e-Literate as well as e-Literate TV not only on the ALMAP awardees and their progress, but also from the general field of personalized and adaptive learning.

They suggested that a non-literate individual was able to understand this information as well as a literate individual when it was discussed in their own language.

His father, Benedetto de' Franceschi, was apparently a tanner and shoemaker, prosperous enough for his son to become well educated and literate in Latin.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of "well literate", use "well-read" or "well-educated" to describe someone with strong literacy skills.

Common error

Avoid using "well" directly before "literate". Use compound adjectives like "well-read" or "well-educated" for correct grammar.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well literate" is intended to function as an adjective describing someone who possesses a high level of literacy. However, based on Ludwig and standard English grammar, this is an incorrect usage. Correct alternatives include "well-read" or "well-educated".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "well literate" is not a standard or grammatically correct expression in English. As confirmed by Ludwig, more appropriate alternatives to describe someone with strong literacy skills include "well-read" or "well-educated". While the intent might be to emphasize a high degree of literacy, sticking to established phrases ensures clarity and correctness. It's crucial to use compound adjectives like "well-read" or "well-educated" to maintain grammatical accuracy and avoid confusion. Using the correct alternatives enhances communication and positions you as a more articulate speaker or writer.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone is literate?

Instead of "well literate", use the phrases "well-read" or "well-educated" to describe someone who is literate.

Is "well literate" grammatically correct?

No, "well literate" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "well-read" or "highly literate".

What does it mean to be "well-read"?

To be "well-read" means that you have read a lot of books and are very knowledgeable.

Are there other words to describe someone who is very literate?

Yes, you can also use terms like "knowledgeable", "erudite", or "learned" to describe someone who is very literate, depending on the specific context.

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