went smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went smoothly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or event that occurred without any problems or difficulties. Example: "The meeting went smoothly, and all the agenda items were addressed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The scene went smoothly.

The New York Times - Arts

The editing went smoothly.

The New Yorker

That went smoothly.

The New York Times

The training went smoothly.

The New Yorker

The drill went smoothly.

The New Yorker

The voting went smoothly.

The Economist

But his ascent went smoothly.

The New York Times - Sports

At first, things went smoothly.

The Guardian

The physical went smoothly.

The New York Times

Both operations went smoothly.

The New York Times - Magazine

This went smoothly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went smoothly" to concisely convey that a process, event, or activity was completed without issues, saving space and enhancing clarity in your writing.

Common error

While "went smoothly" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overuse in technical documentation or scientific reports. Opt for more precise language that specifies how things went smoothly, providing details about the methodologies or results that support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went smoothly" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the manner in which an event or process occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies a lack of problems or difficulties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "went smoothly" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that a process or event occurred without any complications. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While it's acceptable across various writing styles, more formal or technical contexts might benefit from a more detailed description of how things proceeded successfully. Related phrases include "proceeded without a hitch" and "ran like clockwork". Remember to provide context or specific details to enhance clarity, especially in professional or scientific settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceeded without a hitch

Emphasizes the absence of any problems or interruptions during the process.

ran like clockwork

Implies a high degree of precision and flawless execution.

unfolded seamlessly

Highlights the smooth and natural progression of events without any visible breaks or issues.

progressed effortlessly

Focuses on the lack of effort or difficulty involved in the process.

came off without a problem

Indicates the successful completion of an event, avoiding any anticipated difficulties.

happened without incident

Stresses the absence of any negative occurrences or disturbances.

played out favorably

Highlights that the results or consequences were positive and agreeable.

advanced swimmingly

Uses a metaphor to describe a process that moved forward easily and successfully.

was a breeze

Uses an idiom to express how simple and easy the task or event was to handle.

moved forward successfully

Stresses the successful progression and positive outcome of a specific action or process.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "went smoothly"?

When something "went smoothly", it means that it progressed or was completed without any problems, difficulties, or interruptions. It implies a successful and easy process.

What can I say instead of "went smoothly"?

You can use alternatives like "proceeded without a hitch", "ran like clockwork", or "unfolded seamlessly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "went smoothly" in formal writing?

Yes, "went smoothly" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when you want to convey that a process was completed without issues. However, in highly technical contexts, consider using more specific language to describe the success.

How can I make my writing more descriptive than just saying something "went smoothly"?

Instead of simply stating that something "went smoothly", provide details about how it went smoothly. For example, instead of "The surgery went smoothly", you could say "The surgery was completed without complications, and the patient's vital signs remained stable throughout the procedure".