didn't work out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "didn't work out" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a situation or plan that did not go as expected or did not result in the desired outcome. Example: "Unfortunately, my plan to start my own business didn't work out due to financial constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

It didn't work out well.

The New York Times

That didn't work out, either.

The New Yorker

"But that didn't work out".

The New York Times

They just didn't work out".

The New York Times - Sports

"But it just didn't work out".

The New Yorker

"It didn't work out," Mehler said.

The New Yorker

The Annan plan didn't work out?

The New Yorker

It didn't work out that way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "didn't work out" to describe situations where an attempt to achieve something failed. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "didn't work out" when a more specific term like 'collapsed', 'failed', or 'was rejected' would better capture the nature of the failure. The phrase is general; specificity improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't work out" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing that a plan, attempt, or situation was unsuccessful or did not yield the desired outcome. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is both correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "didn't work out" is a common and correct way to express that something was unsuccessful or did not go as planned. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use in written English. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, and has several alternative phrases like "was unsuccessful" or "didn't pan out". However, for more formal writing, consider using more precise terms. Understanding these nuances can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't go as planned

Focuses on the deviation from the original plan, indicating a problem.

was unsuccessful

Focuses on the lack of success, maintaining a neutral tone.

failed to succeed

Emphasizes the failure to achieve success, slightly more formal.

wasn't effective

Highlights the lack of desired impact or outcome.

didn't pan out

More informal, suggesting that an idea or plan didn't develop well.

fell through

Implies a plan or agreement that was initially in place but ultimately failed.

came to nothing

Highlights the lack of results or progress.

proved fruitless

More formal, indicating that efforts were unproductive.

was to no avail

Emphasizes that efforts were ineffective, often used in more literary contexts.

bombed

Informal and conveys a strong sense of failure, often used for performances or projects.

FAQs

How can I use "didn't work out" in a sentence?

You can use "didn't work out" to describe any situation where a plan or attempt failed. For example, "The experiment "didn't work out" as expected" or "Our business venture "didn't work out" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "didn't work out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "failed", "was unsuccessful", "didn't succeed", or "fell through".

Is "didn't work out" formal or informal?

"Didn't work out" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "was unsuccessful" or "did not achieve the desired outcome."

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

While both indicate a lack of success, "didn't work out" is often used for plans or attempts that simply didn't go as expected, whereas "failed" can imply a more significant or complete lack of success. "The project "didn't work out"" suggests it didn't achieve its goals, while "The project "failed"" suggests a more definitive and negative outcome.