Meaning & use
very well
Last updated
Meanings
phrase
In a very good, skillful, or satisfactory way; to a high standard.
Grammar: It modifies a verb and comes after it, not before a noun: She sings very well. (Not: a very well singer.)
Patterns
- do something very well
- speak very well
- very well + past participle (e.g., very well written)
She plays the piano very well.
The team performed very well in the final match.
He speaks English very well, almost like a native.
interjectionformal
Used to show reluctant agreement or acceptance, often after a pause or slight annoyance.
Grammar: Stands alone as a response, often at the beginning of a sentence: Very well, I'll do it.
Patterns
- Very well, ...
- Very well then, ...
Very well, if you insist, I'll come with you.
Very well then, we'll meet at noon.
Very well, I accept your conditions.
Common combinations
- do very well
- She did very well on her exams.
- very well known
- He is a very well known author in this genre.
- very well written
- The novel is very well written and easy to read.
- very well then
- Very well then, let's begin the meeting.
Synonyms and how they differ
- excellently
- More formal and stronger; very well is more common in everyday speech.
- fine
- As an interjection, 'fine' can show agreement but often sounds more casual or dismissive; very well is more formal.
- all right
- Similar as an interjection of agreement, but 'all right' is less formal than very well.
Opposites
Commonly confused: very well or very good?
very well vs very good
Very good is an adjective phrase describing a noun (a very good singer), while very well is an adverb phrase describing an action (sings very well).
Practice
Which sentence uses 'very well' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Very well is an adverb phrase and follows the verb: 'did very well'. It cannot be used before a noun (as in 'a very well singer') or before the verb in standard order.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “very well”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.