did not work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was unsuccessful or failed to function as intended. Example: "The new software update did not work as expected, causing several issues for users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Scheduling did not work.

The New York Times - Arts

"They did not work.

The New Yorker

That did not work.

The New York Times - Health

Those did not work.

The New York Times

It did not work.

The New York Times - Sports

Harassment did not work.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"RBI" didn't work.

The New York Times

"Obamanomics didn't work".

The New York Times

"Something didn't work?

The New York Times

Emmett didn't work.

The New Yorker

This didn't work.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not work", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically failed. For example, specify "The marketing campaign did not work as expected" rather than simply stating "It did not work".

Common error

While "did not work" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Consider using stronger verbs or more precise phrasing like "failed", "proved ineffective", or "was unsuccessful" to enhance the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not work" functions as a negative verb phrase indicating the failure of an action, plan, or object to achieve the intended outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not work" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate failure or ineffectiveness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. While universally understood, consider stronger verbs or more formal alternatives like "proved ineffective" or "was unsuccessful" in formal writing. Remember to specify the context of the failure for clarity and ensure your writing maintains sophistication by avoiding overuse in formal settings. This analysis is supported by numerous examples extracted from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unsuccessful

A straightforward alternative that directly states the lack of success.

did not succeed

Similar to "was unsuccessful" but uses a different verb to convey the same meaning.

failed to function

Replaces "did not work" with a more formal term, emphasizing the inability to operate or perform as expected.

proved ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired outcome or result, suggesting that the effort or method was not successful.

turned out badly

Focuses on the negative outcome or result of a situation or event.

did not pan out

An idiomatic alternative that suggests the plan or expectation did not materialize as hoped.

was to no avail

A more formal way of saying that the attempt was unsuccessful or without effect.

fell through

Suggests that a plan or arrangement failed to happen or was canceled.

came to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome or result, implying that the effort was wasted.

did not hold up

Implies that something could not withstand scrutiny, pressure, or time.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "did not work"?

You can use phrases like "failed to function", "proved ineffective", or "was unsuccessful" depending on the context.

How can I make my writing sound more formal when "did not work" feels too casual?

Opt for alternatives such as "proved ineffectual", "was to no avail", or "did not achieve the desired outcome". These phrases add a layer of sophistication suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it grammatically correct to use "did not work"?

Yes, "did not work" is grammatically correct. It uses the auxiliary verb "did" to form the negative past tense of the verb "work".

What's the difference between "did not work" and "didn't work"?

"Didn't work" is a contraction of "did not work" and is more informal. Both are grammatically correct, but "did not work" is generally preferred in formal writing, while "didn't work" is common in spoken language and informal contexts.