did not work out

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not work out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe when an effort, plan, or goal fails to reach the desired outcome. For example: "I was hoping to get the job, but it didn't work out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

This did not work out either.

The New Yorker

Things did not work out as planned.

The Economist

That did not work out well.

The New York Times

It did not work out well.

The New York Times

But that did not work out, either.

The New York Times - Sports

Austerity did not work out very well.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

One didn't work out".

Independent

That didn't work out.

The New Yorker

It didn't work out".

The New York Times - Sports

"That didn't work out," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

They just didn't work out".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not work out" to describe situations where a specific plan or attempt failed. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "did not work out" when discussing theoretical possibilities or future plans. It's better suited for describing past events or completed attempts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not work out" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a particular action, plan, or situation failed to achieve the desired outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not work out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for denoting the failure of a plan, relationship, or attempt. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for both formal and informal communication. While it appears most often in news and media contexts, it is also present in academic and scientific writing. Alternatives such as "didn't pan out" and "was unsuccessful" can offer variety, but "did not work out" remains a clear and effective way to express an absence of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't pan out

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome after a period of development or planning.

did not go as planned

Highlights the deviation from an intended course or outcome.

was unsuccessful

Formally states the failure to achieve a desired result or goal.

failed to succeed

Directly states the inability to accomplish a goal or objective.

proved fruitless

Highlights the lack of results or benefits despite effort.

fell through

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

ended in failure

Focuses on the unsuccessful conclusion of an endeavor or attempt.

came to nothing

Indicates that an effort or plan had no positive or significant outcome.

was in vain

Emphasizes that an action or effort was without purpose or result.

turned sour

Indicates that a situation or relationship deteriorated and became unpleasant or unsuccessful.

FAQs

What does "did not work out" mean?

The phrase "did not work out" means that something didn't succeed or go as planned. It implies a failure to achieve a desired outcome.

How can I use "did not work out" in a sentence?

You can use "did not work out" to describe a plan, relationship, or attempt that was unsuccessful. For example, "Our business venture "did not work out" as we had hoped."

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

Alternatives include "failed", "didn't succeed", "was unsuccessful", or "didn't pan out". The best choice depends on the context.

Is "did not work out" formal or informal?

"Did not work out" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a common phrase that is widely understood.