were coming nicely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were coming nicely" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misspelling or grammatical error; it should likely be "were coming along nicely" or "were coming together nicely." Example: "The project updates indicated that the plans were coming along nicely, and the team was optimistic about the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The rains that year were good; they were coming nicely just as the crops needed them — or so Margaret gathered when the men said they were not too bad.

The New Yorker

By Doris Lessing The rains that year were good; they were coming nicely just as the crops needed them — or so Margaret gathered when the men said they were not too bad.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Amir took a while to settle back into Test cricket but by the end was coming nicely to the boil.

The Guardian - Sport

Within 50 pages things are coming nicely into focus, from "the woody grain of the turkey" served up as part of a gigantic buffet, to the shifting choreography of the squad's dealings with their adoring public.

The New York Times - Books

And, ominously for Barcelona's rivals, Suarez appears to be coming nicely to his peak.

BBC

Things were coming together nicely aesthetically, but finances were another matter.

The New York Times

Trump said last week that trade talks with Mexico were coming along nicely.

Forbes

Everything is coming along nicely".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's coming very nicely.

The New York Times

"That's coming up nicely".

The Guardian

They're coming along nicely.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more standard English phrases like "were progressing nicely" or "were developing well" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using adverbs like "nicely" directly after the verb "to come" in progressive tenses. Instead, use a phrasal verb such as "coming along nicely" or choose a different verb altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were coming nicely" functions as part of a progressive verb phrase, attempting to describe an ongoing action. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig, which suggests alternatives using phrasal verbs or different adverbs to convey the intended meaning of progress or development.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were coming nicely" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as a potential misspelling or grammatical error, suggesting more appropriate alternatives like "were progressing nicely" or "were developing well". Although the phrase appears in some news and media sources, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal or professional writing. When aiming to describe positive progress, consider using established phrases to ensure clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were progressing well

Replaces "coming nicely" with a more standard and widely accepted phrase for indicating satisfactory advancement.

were developing nicely

Emphasizes the gradual unfolding and positive evolution, rather than the act of arriving.

were shaping up nicely

Suggests that things are taking a desirable form or arrangement.

were advancing smoothly

Highlights the lack of obstacles or problems in the progression.

were unfolding favorably

Implies a positive and beneficial sequence of events.

were turning out well

Focuses on the outcome or final result being positive.

were maturing beautifully

Suggests a gradual and aesthetically pleasing development.

were evolving successfully

Highlights the effectiveness and achievement in the developmental process.

were improving steadily

Emphasizes the consistent and gradual enhancement over time.

were getting along well

Indicates a positive interaction and progress in a collaborative effort.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to "were coming nicely"?

Instead of "were coming nicely", you can use phrases like "were progressing nicely", "were developing well", or "were shaping up nicely" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were coming nicely"?

No, the phrase "were coming nicely" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "were coming along nicely" or "were progressing well".

How can I use "coming along nicely" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "coming along nicely" to describe progress: "The project is coming along nicely, and we expect to finish on time."

What's the difference between "were coming nicely" and "were coming along nicely"?

The phrase "were coming nicely" is not grammatically sound. The correct and idiomatic expression is "were coming along nicely", which means making satisfactory progress.