How to use　"not　so　well"
"He plays basketball not so well."

Does this　sentence grammatically　correct?
Is this almost same　as "He is not very　good at basketball."　or　"He　doesn't　play　basketball　very　well."?

Question

How to use　"not　so　well"
"He plays basketball not so well."

Does this　sentence grammatically　correct?
Is this almost same　as "He is not very　good at basketball."　or　"He　doesn't　play　basketball　very　well."?

Answer

It's closer to "he doesn't play basketball very well".  But that still sounds like a negative judgement.  When we use "not so well", it's slightly sympathetic and suggests we wish the situation were "well".

"He plays basketball not so well." = He's not good at basketball, but I wish he were better at it.

And in DP's example, Jim's comment suggests that he wishes the robbery was successful, which would make him feel better.

Answer

Both "He is not verygood at basketball." and　"He　doesn't　play　basketball　very　well." are grammatically correct

Answer

Samantha, "How are you doing today Jim"

Jim, "Oh, not so well.  I robbed a bank and got caught."

Answers · 3

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