well so far

USAGE SUMMARY

"well so far" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a current status or progress of something that has been ongoing. For example: "Well so far, we have raised $500 for the charity event." This sentence indicates that the speaker is providing an update on the progress of the fundraising efforts and that they have currently reached $500. Another example: "I have been studying for my exam for two hours, and well so far, I feel confident about it." In this sentence, the speaker is indicating that they have been studying for a few hours and currently feel confident about their preparation for the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Working well so far….

Independent

Well, so far, they have.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everything is going very well so far".

Independent

They have treated us well so far.

The New York Times

It's worked quite well so far.

The New Yorker

Everything is going well so far".

The New York Times - Sports

Well, so far so good.

The Guardian

It works well, so far.

The Guardian - Tech

"We've done well so far.

The New York Times - Sports

"The rice is going well so far.

Cornell University

So we're doing well so far.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well so far" at the start of a sentence, follow it with a comma.

Common error

Avoid overusing "well so far" in formal reports or academic writing, where more precise and specific language may be preferred. Instead, choose alternatives like "to date" or "thus far".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well so far" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate the current state or progress of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well so far" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to provide interim assessments or updates. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it's best to reserve it for informal or semi-formal contexts. For more formal writing, alternatives like "thus far" or "to date" may be more suitable. Remember to use it at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so far

Removes "well" for a concise indication of progress or status.

thus far

Formal alternative, suitable for professional contexts. It focuses on the progress made up to the present moment.

up to now

Implies a current assessment based on past events, similar to evaluating current progress.

to date

Highlights the accumulated progress or status until the present day.

as of now

Emphasizes the present state or situation, similar to an interim report.

until now

Focuses on a change or continuation of a state from the past to the present.

up until this point

More elaborate version, emphasizing the culmination of progress at the current moment.

as yet

Suggests that something may change in the future, focusing on the current absence of a result.

in the interim

Focuses on what has happened during a temporary period of time.

for the time being

Highlights the current situation as temporary, open to future changes.

FAQs

How can I use "well so far" in a sentence?

You can use "well so far" to introduce an assessment or update on a situation's progress, such as, "Well so far, the project is on schedule."

What's a good alternative to "well so far" in professional writing?

In professional settings, consider using alternatives like "thus far", "to date", or "up to this point" to maintain a formal tone.

Is there a difference between "so far" and "well so far"?

Adding "well" to "so far" can soften the statement or add a slight nuance of contemplation, though they are largely interchangeable. "So far" is more direct; "well so far" can suggest a more reflective pause.

Can "well so far" be used at the end of a sentence?

While less common, "well so far" can occasionally be used at the end of a sentence for emphasis or to invite agreement, but it's generally better placed at the beginning to introduce the assessment.