well settled

USAGE SUMMARY

"well settled" is a grammatically correct expression in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that an issue or situation has been resolved or is not in doubt. For example: "After a long discussion, the dispute was finally well settled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Rock strata in our section pretty well settled.

The New Yorker

In fact, the answer is already well settled.

The Economist

The conflicting positions are by now well settled.

The Guardian - Opinion

We both are financially comfortable and well settled with everything we could possibly ever wish for.

The New York Times

The copyright for composition is chartered at the federal level, and is well settled.

The Economist

At the time of European contact much of the northern portion of Yucatán was well settled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We are confident that these rules as issued by the F.T.C. will be upheld because they fall squarely within well-settled legal principles".

The New York Times

The phrase "it is well-settled law" means what it says.

The New York Times

If it did so, the court would be overturning its own well-settled precedents.

The New York Times

First, it is well-settled that where two statutory provisions are in conflict, the specific statute controls the general statute.

The New York Times

Mark Herr, an A.I.G. spokesman, said that the company was simply "adhering to well-settled tax law that a company can use losses to offset its income".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well settled" to describe situations, legal precedents, or personal circumstances that are definitively resolved or established. For example, "The legal precedent is well settled."

Common error

Avoid using "well settled" when describing situations that are still evolving or subject to change. This can create a false sense of finality and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well settled" functions primarily as a modifier, indicating a state of being firmly established, resolved, or beyond dispute. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often describes legal principles, personal situations, or historical facts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well settled" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is established, resolved, or no longer subject to debate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using "well settled", ensure it accurately reflects a state of finality and is not applied to situations that are still in flux. Alternatives like "firmly established" or "thoroughly resolved" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Be sure to choose the option that best fits the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firmly established

Emphasizes the strength and permanence of the establishment.

well established

Similar to the original, but places more emphasis on the act of establishing.

thoroughly resolved

Highlights the completeness of the resolution.

definitely decided

Focuses on the decisiveness and finality of the decision.

completely sorted

Implies a thorough and organized resolution.

soundly concluded

Emphasizes the validity and thoroughness of the conclusion.

undisputedly confirmed

Stresses the lack of dispute and the certainty of the confirmation.

unquestionably agreed

Highlights the universal agreement and lack of questioning.

securely anchored

Conveys a sense of stability and being firmly in place.

well organized

Suggests that everything is structured and managed effectively.

FAQs

What does "well settled" mean?

"Well settled" generally means something is established, resolved, or no longer subject to debate or change. It indicates a state of agreement or finality.

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

You can use "well settled" to describe legal precedents ("The law on this matter is "well settled""), personal circumstances ("He is "well settled" in his career"), or disputes ("The argument was "well settled" after negotiations").

What are some alternatives to "well settled"?

Alternatives include "firmly established", "definitely decided", or "thoroughly resolved", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "well settled" or "well-settled"?

Both "well settled" and "well-settled" are acceptable. "Well-settled" (with a hyphen) is typically used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "well-settled law"), while "well settled" (without a hyphen) is often used after a verb (e.g., "The matter is "well settled"").