Is it correct to say “well wishes”? The phrase appears often in speech and informal writing, but standard English prefers other forms. Use wish someone well when you need a verb: I wish you well. Use best wishes or warm wishes for closings and cards. As a noun, well wishes is understandable in casual contexts (she sent her well wishes), yet it sounds less polished than best wishes or messages of support. Check parts of speech quickly: if you need a verb, choose wish; if you need a closing or noun, pick a conventional phrase. For formal writing, translate the idea into neutral language—expressions of goodwill or messages of support—to keep tone and register appropriate.
Contextual Examples
Core Meaning and Parts of Speech
The phrase well wishes appears when speakers want to express good intentions. Break the phrase into parts of speech: well (adverb or adjective, depending on use) and wishes (noun, plural). In common practice, people often write best wishes, well wishes, or wishes for your well-being. The safest and clearest choices follow established phrase patterns.
Example 1 — Greeting Card (Common)
Sentence: Best wishes on your new job.
Parts of speech: Best (adjective, modifies wishes) wishes (noun, plural, subject complement) on (preposition) your (possessive pronoun) new (adjective) job (noun).
Check: Best wishes is an established collocation and reads natural in greetings.
Example 2 — Informal Message With “Well Wishes”
Sentence: Sending well wishes for a speedy recovery.
Parts of speech: Sending (verb, present participle) well (adverb modifying wishes or used adjectivally in speech) wishes (noun, plural) for (preposition) a (article) speedy (adjective) recovery (noun).
Check: The phrase is understandable in speech and casual messages, but some readers prefer well-wishes hyphenated or the alternative well wishes rephrased as wishes for your well-being for clarity.
Example 3 — Formal Email Alternative
Sentence: Please accept my best wishes for your continued success.
Parts of speech: Please (adverb, polite marker) accept (verb, imperative) my (possessive pronoun) best (adjective) wishes (noun, plural) for (preposition) your (possessive pronoun) continued (adjective) success (noun).
Check: Use best wishes for formal correspondence; the adjective best neatly modifies wishes and the sentence is grammatically tight.
Example 4 — Hyphenation Option
Sentence: She sent well-wishes after the surgery.
Parts of speech: She (pronoun, subject) sent (verb, past) well-wishes (compound noun, hyphenated) after (preposition) the (article) surgery (noun).
Check: Hyphenating well-wishes turns the phrase into a clear compound noun and signals the intended meaning.
Example 5 — Rewriting for Clarity
Original: He gave well wishes at the meeting.
Parts of speech and problem: He (pronoun) gave (verb, past) well (adverb/adjective) wishes (noun). The phrase is passable but slightly awkward.
Revised: He expressed his good wishes at the meeting.
Revised parts of speech: He (pronoun) expressed (verb, past) his (possessive pronoun) good (adjective) wishes (noun) at (preposition) the (article) meeting (noun).
Check: Good wishes or best wishes reads more standard than the two-word string well wishes.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Treating “Well” as an Adjective Incorrectly
Problem: Using well as an adjective to modify wishes can confuse readers because well most commonly functions as an adverb.
Wrong: She sent well wishes. (ambiguous: is well adverb or adjective?)
Fix: Use well-wishes (hyphenate) or choose good wishes, best wishes, or wishes for your well-being.
Parts of speech: She (pronoun) sent (verb) good (adjective) wishes (noun).
Mistake 2 — Missing Hyphen When Needed
Problem: Writing well wishes without a hyphen makes the phrase look like well modifies something else or stands alone.
Wrong: Send your well wishes. (reads okay in speech but is less crisp in writing)
Better: Send your well-wishes. or Send your best wishes.
Check: Hyphenation clarifies the compound noun status.
Mistake 3 — Using “Well Wishes” in Formal Prose
Problem: Using the casual well wishes in a formal report or business letter may appear imprecise.
Wrong: The committee received well wishes from stakeholders.
Better: The committee received expressions of support from stakeholders. or The committee received messages of goodwill from stakeholders.
Parts of speech: The (article) committee (noun) received (verb) messages (noun) of (preposition) goodwill (noun).
Mistake 4 — Overusing Redundant Phrases
Problem: Saying well wishes and best wishes in the same sentence is redundant.
Wrong: Please accept our well wishes and best wishes.
Fix: Pick one: Please accept our best wishes. or Please accept our good wishes and support.
Check: Concise phrasing reduces clutter.
Mistake 5 — Misplacing Modifiers
Problem: Placing modifiers so that they seem to modify the wrong word.
Wrong: He sent wishes well for her recovery. (awkward order)
Fix: He sent wishes for her speedy recovery.
Parts of speech: He (pronoun) sent (verb) wishes (noun) for (preposition) her (possessive pronoun) speedy (adjective) recovery (noun).
American vs British English Differences
Core Acceptability: Similar Across Regions
Both American and British English accept phrases like best wishes and good wishes. The casual well wishes appears in both varieties, especially in informal speech and social media. Differences are mostly stylistic, not grammatical.
Hyphenation and Style Guides
Some style guides prefer hyphenation for compound nouns. In American usage, well-wishes as a noun or to wish someone well is common. British usage similarly accepts best wishes and to wish someone well. Writers should consult the style guide for a given publication: newspapers, academic journals, and corporate guidelines may differ on hyphenation rules.
Formal Register Differences
- American English: Business letters often end with Best regards or Best wishes. Casual notes may say Sending well-wishes.
- British English: Formal cards often use With best wishes or With every good wish. Both varieties rely on established closings to signal tone.
Prepositions and Collocations
Common collocations are shared: wish someone well, send best wishes, offer good wishes. Avoid unusual combinations that sound nonstandard: give well wishes to is passable but send best wishes to is cleaner.
Idiomatic Expressions
Common Phrases and Collocations
- Wish someone well — Verb phrase: wish (verb) + someone (pronoun object) + well (adverb). Example: I wish you well.
- Best wishes — Noun phrase used as a closing. Example: Best wishes, Maria.
- Good wishes — Slightly less common but clear. Example: All good wishes for the new year.
Note the parts of speech: verbs govern objects and adverb forms like well often modify verbs, while adjectival uses like good modify nouns.
Fixed Closings and Tone
Closings for letters and cards have idiomatic constraints. For warmth and neutrality, use Best wishes or Warm wishes. For formality, use Yours sincerely or With best wishes. Avoid inventing rare closings like Well wishes in formal letters.
When “Well” Functions as an Adverb vs Adjective
- Adverb: I wish you well. (well modifies the verb wish)
- Adjective (less common with wishes): well-wishes as a compound noun (must hyphenate to signal role)
Parts of speech: I (pronoun) wish (verb) you (pronoun) well (adverb).
Emphasis and Tone with Modifiers
Use modifiers to change tone: warm wishes signals personal warmth; best wishes signals polite goodwill; sincere wishes signals deeper sentiment. Choose adjectives that match the relationship.
Practical Tips
Tip 1 — Prefer “Wish Someone Well” For Verb Use
When expressing the action of wishing, use the verb pattern: wish someone well. Example: Colleagues wished her well before the trial.
Parts of speech: Colleagues (noun, plural) wished (verb, past) her (pronoun) well (adverb) before (preposition) the (article) trial (noun).
Tip 2 — Use “Best Wishes” For Closings
For most cards and emails, use Best wishes as a safe closing. Example: Best wishes, Daniel.
Parts of speech: Best (adjective) wishes (noun) — the phrase functions as a closing noun.
Tip 3 — Hyphenate When Turning the Phrase Into a Noun
If the phrase appears as a noun in running text, prefer hyphenation: The team received many well-wishes. This clarifies that the compound functions as a noun.
Tip 4 — Rephrase for Formal Contexts
In formal writing, use neutral alternatives: expressions of goodwill, messages of support, or wishes for a full recovery. These phrases avoid casual hyphenation questions.
Tip 5 — Keep Sentences Clear and Short for Readability
For grade 5–8 readability, use subject-verb-object order and short modifiers: She sent best wishes. Label parts of speech when teaching: She (pronoun) sent (verb) best (adjective) wishes (noun).
Tip 6 — Avoid Redundancy
Don’t pair well with good in the same clause: well and good wishes is redundant. Pick one clear phrase.
Tip 7 — Match Tone to Relationship
Choose closings that match closeness: Best wishes for acquaintances, Warm wishes for friends, Sincere condolences for serious situations. Parts of speech: adjectives precede wishes to set tone.
Tip 8 — Watch Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns
When a subject is collective, match the verb correctly: The board sends its best wishes. (board = singular collective; sends = singular verb) Parts of speech: The (article) board (noun) sends (verb) its (possessive pronoun) best (adjective) wishes (noun).
Tip 9 — Teach With Rewriting Exercises
Show learners a weak sentence and a better rewrite:
Weak: Send well wishes to her.
Rewrite: Send your best wishes to her.
Label parts of speech in the rewrite: Send (verb) your (possessive pronoun) best (adjective) wishes (noun) to (preposition) her (pronoun).
Tip 10 — Use the He/Him Test Only for Pronoun Choice
When pronouns appear in these constructions, test subject vs object role: Who wished her well? (who = subject) vs To whom did you send your best wishes? (whom = object of preposition).
Revision Examples and Edits
Revision 1 — Card Message
Original: Well wishes for your recovery. (short but slightly stilted)
Edited: Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Edited parts of speech: Wishing (verb, present participle) you (pronoun) a (article) speedy (adjective) recovery (noun).
Note: The edited sentence uses an active verb and reads smoothly.
Revision 2 — Email Closing
Original: I send well wishes. (awkward)
Edited: I send my best wishes.
Edited parts of speech: I (pronoun) send (verb) my (possessive pronoun) best (adjective) wishes (noun).
Note: The possessive my and adjective best make the closing natural.
Revision 3 — Formal Report
Original: The company received many well wishes after the announcement.
Edited: The company received many messages of support after the announcement.
Edited parts of speech: The (article) company (noun) received (verb) many (determiner) messages (noun) of (preposition) support (noun) after (preposition) the (article) announcement (noun).
Note: The formal rewrite avoids hyphenation issues and reads clearly in a report.
Revision 4 — Hyphenation Option
Original: They sent well wishes.
Edited: They sent well-wishes. or They sent their best wishes.
Edited parts of speech: They (pronoun) sent (verb) their (possessive pronoun) best (adjective) wishes (noun).
Conclusion
Well wishes works in casual speech, but for clarity and formality prefer established alternatives. Say I wish you well when you use a verb; close letters with Best wishes or Warm wishes; and replace informal noun uses with messages of support or expressions of goodwill in formal contexts. Avoid awkward hyphenation; use well-wisher for a person who offers goodwill. Quick checklist: (1) choose verb form (wish someone well) or closing (best wishes), (2) use neutral phrasing in formal texts, and (3) read the sentence aloud—if it sounds informal, rephrase.
FAQs
- Q: Is “well wishes” grammatically correct?
A: Well wishes can be understood in informal speech, but it is clearer to use wish someone well, best wishes, or well-wishes (hyphenated) depending on function. - Q: Should “well wishes” be hyphenated?
A: Hyphenate when using the phrase as a noun compound in running text: many well-wishes were sent. Use wish someone well when using the verb. - Q: What is the best closing for a card?
A: Best wishes or Warm wishes are standard closings; label tone with an adjective before wishes. - Q: How to write the phrase in formal reports?
A: Use formal phrases such as messages of support or expressions of goodwill to avoid casual slang and hyphenation questions. - Q: Is “wish you well” better than “send well wishes”?
A: Yes. I wish you well or I send my best wishes are clearer and grammatically standard. - Q: Can “well” act as an adjective with “wishes”?
A: Well usually acts as an adverb; when paired with wishes as a noun, use hyphenation (well-wishes) or choose good wishes or best wishes. - Q: Does American or British English prefer “well wishes”?
A: Both varieties understand it informally; preferred forms like best wishes and wish someone well are common in both. - Q: What quick checklist prevents errors?
A: Decide verb or noun use, hyphenate noun compounds, match tone to audience, place modifiers next to nouns, and check verb agreement. - Q: Which phrasing is safest for formal writing and cards?
A: For formal writing, use messages of support or expressions of goodwill; for cards, use Best wishes or Warm wishes.
