as it worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it worked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation or process that functioned effectively or as intended. Example: "The plan was successful, and as it worked, we decided to implement it in other areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The view from the train as it worked its way east from Moscow to Yekaterinburg.

The New York Times - Sports

On Feb. 8, I hooked everything up, turned on the box and watched as it worked its way around the dial, finding the available channels.

The New York Times

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel £28.60, lookfantastic.com So gentle (I felt nothing as it worked its magic), a pleasure to use and gives great, smooth results.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He can rightly claim that the bill actually got stronger as it worked its way through Congress rather than having the legislation eroded as one lobbyist after another found a way to carve exceptions.

The New York Times

THE METEOROLOGY: Hurricane Sandy formed Oct. 22, 2012, growing to a Category 3 storm as it worked its way through the Caribbean.

Los Angeles Times

The Bulldog offense was balanced as it worked its way down the field, totaling 24 rushing yards as McMaryion completed four of his six passes.

Los Angeles Times

Washington gained ground steadily as it worked its way down the field for a second touchdown, ending with a 1-yard rush by Myles Gaskin.

Los Angeles Times

Trump, who wanted warmer ties with Moscow and had opposed the legislation as it worked its way through Congress, signed it reluctantly in August, just six months into his presidency.

Huffington Post

Except that the national tour of The Sound of Music, on a brief stop at Philadelphia's Academy of Music as it worked its way across the country, wasn't in on the plan.

Huffington Post

The law drew fierce opposition from individual companies and the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) as it worked its way through the California legislature.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Meanwhile, Twitter has, for years, readjusted its API as it worked to standardize the Twitter experience for end users.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it worked" to describe a process or method that has proven to be effective or successful in a specific context. It emphasizes the functionality and positive outcome of something previously implemented.

Common error

Avoid using "as it worked" when referring to future or hypothetical situations. This phrase is best suited for describing past or current processes that have already demonstrated effectiveness, not speculating about future outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it worked" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner or condition in which an action was performed or a process occurred. It provides additional information about how something functioned or the outcome of a process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as it worked" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe the functionality and effectiveness of processes or systems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific and academic writing, it serves to explain or justify actions based on proven positive outcomes. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a demonstrated effectiveness, rather than a hypothetical situation. Alternatives like "the way it functioned" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "as it worked" is a valuable tool for conveying practical results and justifying decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the way it functioned

Focuses on the manner of operation rather than the outcome.

in the manner it operated

Highlights the specific method or process of operation.

the mechanism by which it succeeded

Emphasizes the specific mechanisms that led to success.

how it played out

Refers to the unfolding or progression of events.

the way it panned out

Implies a result or outcome, often unexpectedly.

the system in practice

Focuses on the practical application and implementation of a system.

as implemented

Highlights the actual execution or application of a plan or process.

the method employed

Emphasizes the specific method or technique used.

given its functionality

Focuses on the inherent capabilities and functions.

considering its operation

Emphasizes evaluating or thinking about the operation

FAQs

How can I use "as it worked" in a sentence?

You can use "as it worked" to describe how something functioned in practice. For example, "The system proved effective, "as it worked", we expanded its use."

What are some alternatives to "as it worked"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the way it functioned", "in practice", or "how it played out", depending on the specific context.

Is "as it worked" formal or informal?

"As it worked" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in neutral or professional writing.

What's the difference between "as it worked" and "as it was intended"?

"As it worked" refers to the actual functioning or outcome of something, while "as it was intended" refers to the planned or expected function, even if it didn't happen that way. For example, "The theory was good, "as it was intended", it was a failure. "As it worked", the plan proved to be quite effective."