does not work as intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not work as intended" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is commonly used to describe a situation when something is not working as well as it should be. For example, "The computer system does not work as intended, so I cannot access the data I need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

With remarkable understatement, it noted that "the fund does not work as intended".

The New York Times

The third, potassium chloride, stops the heart and brings about death, but not before causing searing pain if the anesthesia does not work as intended.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the banks are operating with a capital regime that does not work as intended, but may be lulling regulators into a false sense of security.In determining regulatory capital, Basel 2 would give an important role to credit-rating agencies such as Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

The Economist

Item curves with overlapped categories suggest an excess of response options that should be reduced, while disordered curves indicate that the categorization of responses does not work as intended [22].

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

However, while the sum score for AA and AM seems to work reasonably, it can be concluded that the sum score for AR does not work as intended.

BMC Medical Education

The findings of our study indicate that OPRAS does not work as intended due to its modalities of measuring performance, the poor implementation of the feedback mechanism and health workers' experience of not seeing any tangible benefits of OPRAS.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What is the threshold for grounding a plane in a scenario where automation doesn't work as intended or pilots fail to grasp the complexities of automated systems, he wondered.

The Washington Post

If something is too slow or doesn't work as intended, they'll move on.

Forbes

If health care providers have to constantly manipulate CON rules or take advantage of existing loopholes to access equipment it may need (and to keep others from acquiring), this reinforces that the law doesn't work as intended, and further undermines centralized planning.

Forbes

Still, as I said, doesn't work as intended. .

Vice

Never mind that even these did not work as intended.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process, follow "does not work as intended" with a brief explanation of the expected vs. actual outcome to provide clarity.

Common error

While "does not work as intended" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "is ineffective" or "is not functioning properly" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not work as intended" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a predicate adjective or part of a predicate, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a failure to achieve the designed or expected outcome. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not work as intended" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe situations where something fails to meet its original design or purpose. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While acceptable across various contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. For variety, consider using synonyms like "is ineffective" or "fails to achieve the desired outcome". When using this phrase, provide context to clearly convey the expected versus actual results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not performing as expected

Similar to the original phrase but focuses on expectations not being met.

fails to achieve the desired outcome

Focuses on the lack of achievement of a specific outcome, rather than the functionality.

is not delivering the desired results

Focuses on the lack of expected results or outcomes.

is ineffective

Highlights the lack of effectiveness in achieving a goal or purpose.

is not functioning properly

Emphasizes a problem with the functionality, suggesting a technical malfunction.

falls short of expectations

Indicates that something did not meet anticipated outcomes or standards.

is not up to par

Implies a standard or expectation that is not being met.

proves to be unsuccessful

Highlights the unsuccessful nature of an attempt or endeavor.

turns out to be flawed

Suggests there is a defect or imperfection which inhibits the success.

is unfit for purpose

Implies something is not suitable for its intended use or application.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "does not work as intended"?

You can use alternatives like "fails to achieve the desired outcome", "is ineffective", or "is not performing as expected" depending on the context.

Is "does not work as intended" grammatically correct?

Yes, "does not work as intended" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

How can I use "does not work as intended" in a sentence?

You can use "does not work as intended" to describe situations where a plan, system, or device fails to produce the expected outcome. For example, "The new software update "does not work as intended", causing several errors".

What's the difference between "does not work as intended" and "does not work as expected"?

While similar, "does not work as intended" emphasizes a failure to meet the original design or purpose, while "does not work as expected" focuses on failing to meet anticipated outcomes. The phrase "does not work as expected" is a reciprocal phrase.