but it didn't work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but it didn't work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or frustration when something did not achieve the desired outcome. For example, "I tried to repair the broken pipe, but it didn't work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it didn't work.

The New York Times

But it didn't work as planned.

The New York Times

But it didn't work at first.

The New York Times - Sports

But it didn't work very well.

The New York Times

But it didn't work out that way".

The New York Times

"But it didn't work then," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

But it didn't work out, did it?

The Guardian - Film

But it didn't work out like that.

The Guardian - Books

"He interested us but it didn't work.

The Guardian - Sport

"She was very interested, but it didn't work out.

The New York Times - Arts

But it didn't work before and it won't work now".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For more emphatic language replace "but it didn't work" with stronger alternatives such as "but it failed" or "but it was unsuccessful" depending on the context.

Common error

While "but it didn't work" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "however, it proved ineffective" or "nevertheless, the attempt was unsuccessful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but it didn't work" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting a preceding statement with a contrasting outcome. It commonly serves to express disappointment, unexpected failure, or the ineffectiveness of a previously mentioned action or plan. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but it didn't work" is a common conjunction phrase used to express the failure of an action or plan to achieve its intended outcome. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. However, it is more suitable for neutral and informal settings, with more formal alternatives recommended for academic or professional writing. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, demonstrating its widespread use. When choosing alternatives, consider the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. For example you can replace it with "but it proved ineffective" or "but it was unsuccessful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but it failed

A more direct and concise way of saying "but it didn't work", indicating a complete lack of success.

but it was unsuccessful

Replaces 'didn't work' with a more formal term, 'unsuccessful', emphasizing the lack of positive results.

but it didn't succeed

A more formal and straightforward way of stating that the attempt was not successful.

but it proved ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of desired effect or impact, suggesting the method was not suitable.

but it came to nothing

Indicates that the effort or plan did not produce any tangible results.

but it proved fruitless

Highlights the lack of results or benefits from the effort.

but it didn't pan out

An informal way of saying "but it didn't work", suggesting the plan or expectation failed.

but it backfired

Indicates that the action had an unintended and negative consequence.

but it fell through

Suggests that a plan or arrangement failed to materialize.

but it was all in vain

Emphasizes the uselessness of the effort, highlighting the lack of any positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but it didn't work" to sound more formal?

Consider alternatives such as "however, it proved ineffective", "nevertheless, the attempt was unsuccessful", or "despite efforts, it failed to produce the desired outcome". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey and the formality of the context.

What's the difference between "but it didn't work" and "but it failed"?

While both express a lack of success, "but it failed" is generally more direct and implies a complete lack of positive results. "But it didn't work" can sometimes imply a partial failure or a lack of achieving the intended purpose. For example, "but it proved ineffective" can emphasize a lack of the intended effect.

Can I use "but it didn't work" in academic writing?

Yes, but with caution. While grammatically correct, it might sound too informal for certain academic contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "however, it proved ineffective" or "nevertheless, the attempt was unsuccessful", especially in high-stakes sections like the abstract or conclusion.

What are some informal alternatives to "but it didn't work"?

Informal alternatives include "but it didn't pan out", "but it fell through", or "but it just didn't happen". These are suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing scenarios.