well over

USAGE SUMMARY

"well over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used for emphasis when you are referring to a large quantity. For example: "We received well over one hundred applications for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Well over a hundred of our years".

The New Yorker

That is flying well over!" Cook survives.

The Guardian - Sport

"Well over 30," he said.

TechCrunch

Well over a year.

The New Yorker

A Well over 100.

The New York Times

Some got well over 100%.

The Economist

Mahan is well over it.

The New York Times - Sports

It flies well over.

The Guardian - Sport

Played well over all.

The New York Times

Well over there actually.

The Guardian - Sport

"Today, we ship well over a million.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well over" to add emphasis when you want to highlight that a quantity or amount significantly exceeds a certain value. For instance, "The project cost well over $1 million", emphasizing the high cost.

Common error

Avoid using "well over" when precision is required. If you know the exact number, stating it directly is better than approximating with "well over". For example, instead of saying "The temperature was well over 30 degrees Celsius" when you know it was exactly 32, specify "The temperature was 32 degrees Celsius".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well over" functions as an intensifier combined with a preposition. According to Ludwig AI, it's used for emphasis when referring to a large quantity. It modifies a number or quantity to indicate that the actual value is considerably higher than what is being stated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well over" is a versatile and commonly used expression that serves to emphasize that a quantity or amount is significantly more than a specified value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adds emphasis and is grammatically sound. Found frequently in news media and formal business contexts, its neutral register makes it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles. When precision isn't critical and the goal is to highlight the substantial nature of a quantity, "well over" is a suitable and impactful choice. For situations demanding accuracy, opting for precise figures remains the best practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well in excess of

Similar to "well over" but more formal and often used in legal or business contexts.

substantially more than

This phrase emphasizes a significant increase beyond a certain point, highlighting the magnitude of the excess.

considerably greater than

This alternative stresses the notable difference in size or amount, implying a noticeable disparity.

far exceeding

Similar to 'significantly exceeding', but with a stronger emphasis on the extent of the surplus.

significantly exceeding

Focuses on the action of surpassing a limit or expectation to a substantial degree.

appreciably beyond

Indicates that the amount by which something exceeds a limit is noticeable or measurable.

markedly in excess of

This suggests a clear and obvious surplus or overabundance.

easily surpassing

Highlights the effortless nature of exceeding a certain level or quantity.

comfortably past

Implies exceeding a limit with room to spare, suggesting a safe margin.

way above

An informal alternative that indicates a quantity is much higher than another.

FAQs

How do I use "well over" in a sentence?

"Well over" is used to emphasize that a quantity or amount is significantly more than a stated value. For example, "The company has "well over" 1000 employees" indicates the number of employees is much higher than 1000.

What can I say instead of "well over"?

You can use alternatives like "considerably more than", "significantly exceeding", or "far more than" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "well over" in formal writing?

Yes, "well over" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when precision is not critical and emphasis is desired. However, in highly technical or legal documents where accuracy is paramount, more precise language might be preferred.

What's the difference between "well over" and "slightly over"?

"Well over" indicates a significant amount beyond a certain value, whereas "slightly over" suggests only a small amount more. For instance, "well over 100" implies a much larger quantity than "slightly over 100".