well past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well past" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has gone beyond a certain point in time or a specific limit. Example: "By the time we arrived, it was well past midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's well past midnight.

The New York Times

Well past lunchtime, it was packed.

The New York Times - Travel

They are well past that phase now.

The New York Times - Sports

She's often up well past midnight.

The New Yorker

It is well past time.

The New York Times

It is already well past 1pm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is open daily, well past midnight.

The New York Times - Travel

I am well past that now.

The New York Times

We And here, it Montclais.

The New Yorker

Sunday and ended well past midnight.

The New York Times

In fact it's well past time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well past" to indicate that a specific threshold, time, or limit has been significantly exceeded. For example, "It was well past midnight when the party finally ended."

Common error

Avoid using "well past" when the limit or threshold isn't clear or relevant. Instead of saying "The project is well past," specify what milestone or deadline has been exceeded. Example: "The project is well past its initial deadline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well past" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to intensify the degree to which something exceeds a specific point, limit, or time. Ludwig AI provides examples showcasing its use in various contexts, such as "It's well past midnight" and "They are well past that phase now."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well past" functions as an adverbial modifier, used to emphasize that something exceeds a particular point or limit. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's very common in News & Media contexts. It is used to communicate that a threshold has been surpassed significantly. The register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various communication styles. Some alternatives include "far beyond" and "long after". To ensure clarity, avoid using "well past" without a clear reference point. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far beyond

This alternative emphasizes the extent to which something has exceeded a limit.

long after

This alternative specifically relates to time, indicating a significant duration after a point.

considerably beyond

This alternative amplifies the degree to which something has gone past a point.

significantly beyond

Similar to 'considerably beyond', this highlights the importance of exceeding a limit.

substantially beyond

This alternative suggests a large margin by which something is exceeded.

way past

An informal way of saying something is beyond a certain point.

decidedly past

This alternative emphasizes that something is definitely in the past.

markedly past

This highlights a noticeable difference or advancement beyond a point.

noticeably past

Similar to 'markedly past', emphasizing a clear difference.

considerably after

This alternative highlights that something happens a considerable time after a specified event.

FAQs

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

You can use "well past" to indicate that something has gone beyond a certain point in time, age, or progress. For example, "It was "well past midnight" when we got home", or "He is "well past retirement age"".

What are some alternatives to "well past"?

Alternatives to "well past" include "far beyond", "long after", or "considerably beyond", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "well past" or "far beyond"?

"Far beyond" can sometimes sound more emphatic or dramatic, while "well past" tends to be more neutral. The choice depends on the tone you aim to achieve in your writing or speech. Both are generally acceptable in formal and informal contexts.

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

While "past" simply indicates something has occurred before, "well past" emphasizes that something has significantly exceeded a certain point or limit. For instance, "It was past midnight" indicates it was after midnight, but "It was "well past midnight"" highlights that it was considerably later than midnight.