do not work well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not work well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is not functioning effectively or efficiently. Example: "The new software updates do not work well with older operating systems, causing frequent crashes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the figures suggest, these approaches do not work well.

The Economist

Now more bespoke artificial reefs are taking shape.Reefs improvised from junk often do not work well.

The Economist

Computers use some strategies that do not work well for servers.

The New York Times

"Downward facing speakers do not work well," said Gary Merson, owner of HDGuru.com.

The New York Times - Tech

The fantasy and dream sequences seem intrinsically awkward and do not work well here.

The New York Times - Arts

But cookies do not attach to apps, which is why they do not work well on mobile phones and tablets.

The New York Times - Tech

The new LEPs are unpopular with many businesses, and many do not work well with local authorities.

The Economist

Companies are now racing to improve upon decades-old generic drugs that do not work well for everyone.

The New York Times

Clearly, that program and the D.H.S. regulations do not work well enough to keep all citizens out of jeopardy.

The New Yorker

They tend to have little flavour because many flavour-producing enzymes do not work well in these acidic conditions.

The Guardian

The big-name, big-ticket shopping sprees just do not work well in football, where team chemistry dwarfs individual statistics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing why something “do not work well”, be specific about the reasons. Provide context or examples to illustrate the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "do not work well" with overly broad subjects like "systems" or "methods" without further clarification. Specify which aspects of the system or method are failing to function properly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not work well" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing that a subject is not functioning effectively or producing the desired results. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common way to describe ineffectiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not work well" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is ineffective or malfunctioning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, with a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure to provide specific reasons for the ineffectiveness. Alternatives include "are ineffective" and "don't function properly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not effective

Focuses on the lack of desired outcome or impact.

are ineffective

Highlights the inability to produce a desired result.

don't function properly

Emphasizes the malfunction or impaired operation.

are not performing adequately

Stresses the substandard level of execution or functioning.

are deficient

Points out a lack or inadequacy in quality or performance.

are unsuitable

Focuses on a mismatch or inappropriateness for a particular purpose.

are not up to par

Emphasizes that something does not meet an expected standard or level of quality.

are failing

Highlights the lack of success or imminent breakdown.

are flawed

Focuses on the presence of defects or weaknesses that impair functionality.

are unproductive

Highlights the lack of output or positive result.

FAQs

How can I use "do not work well" in a sentence?

Use "do not work well" to describe something that is not functioning effectively or efficiently. For example, "The new software updates "do not work well" with older operating systems, causing frequent crashes."

What are some alternatives to saying "do not work well"?

You can use alternatives like "are ineffective", "don't function properly", or "are not effective" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "does not work well" or "do not work well"?

"Does not work well" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "This method does not work well"), while "do not work well" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "These methods do not work well").

What's the difference between "do not work well" and "do not perform well"?

"Do not work well" generally refers to the functionality or effectiveness of something, while "do not perform well" emphasizes the execution or outcome. For instance, "This tool "does not work well"" means it is faulty, while "This athlete "does not perform well"" suggests they are not achieving good results.