when things go well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when things go well" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing positive outcomes or successful situations. Example: "I feel more confident when things go well at work." Alternative expressions include "when all goes smoothly," "when everything is going right," and "when things are favorable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's when things go well.

The New York Times

Well, that's great when things go well.

Harvard Business Review

When things go well, everyone wants on the bandwagon.

The Washington Post

When things go well, executives and traders at these banks receive the upside.

The New York Times

When things go well, they help to produce growth and wealth.

The Economist

"There is a positive contagion when things go well," Mr. Draghi said.

The New York Times

We ring bells when things are working, when things go well, when we close deals.

The New York Times

The best part of the job is when things go well and the treatment is working.

The Guardian - Opinion

When things go well, the foreign service can arrest a terrorist or subvert a drug syndicate.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When things go wrong, it's about managers and when things go well, it's about players.

The Guardian - Sport

"When things go well, I don't get any credit," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when things go well" to highlight the positive aspects or outcomes of a situation. It's particularly effective for contrasting with potential negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "when things go well". Vary your language by using alternatives like "in times of prosperity" or "under favorable circumstances" to maintain writing interest and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when things go well" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying a main clause to indicate the time or condition under which a particular action or state occurs. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it introduces circumstances of success or positive outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when things go well" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes positive outcomes or circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's advisable to use synonyms like "under favorable circumstances" to prevent overuse. The phrase serves to highlight success, often in contrast to potential failures, and is generally suitable for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when everything is successful

Emphasizes the overall success of all aspects, making it slightly broader.

when success is achieved

Focuses on the accomplishment of success rather than the general state of things going well.

when progress is positive

Highlights the positive progression and advancement of a situation.

under favorable circumstances

Focuses on the external conditions being positive and supportive.

when luck is on our side

Emphasizes the role of luck in achieving positive outcomes.

when fortune smiles

Uses a more metaphorical and literary expression for things going well.

when things are booming

Suggests a period of rapid growth and success, especially in business or economy.

when the stars align

Suggests a more coincidental and fortunate alignment of circumstances.

in times of prosperity

Highlights the period of success and abundance.

in the event of success

Formal and conditional, referring to a hypothetical successful outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "when things go well" in a sentence?

You can use "when things go well" to describe situations where success is achieved, such as "When things go well, it's important to acknowledge the team's hard work".

What are some alternatives to "when things go well"?

Alternatives include "when success is achieved", "when everything is successful", or "in times of prosperity", depending on the specific context.

Is "when things go well" formal or informal?

"When things go well" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferable in highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "when things go well" and "if things go well"?

"When things go well" implies that things are actually going well, while "if things go well" is hypothetical and refers to a possible future scenario.