does not work for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not work for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is not employed by or does not collaborate with a particular organization or individual. Example: "She does not work for that company anymore; she has moved on to a new opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Lyric does not work for everyone.

The New York Times - Health

"It does not work for me".

The New York Times

But it does not work for everyone.

The New York Times

The treatment does not work for everyone.

The New York Times - Health

He does not work for Princeton University.

The New York Times

The escalator does not work for her.

University of California, Berkeley

It does not work for all.

Harvard University

This does not work for ses files.

Yale University

My client does not work for this company.

The New York Times - Magazine

He does not work for one of the presidential campaigns.

The New York Times

Mayhew's no-nonsense manner does not work for everyone.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not work for", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what it is not working for. For example, "This strategy does not work for small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "does not work for" without clearly defining the scope. For instance, saying "The treatment does not work" is vague; specify for whom or under what conditions it's ineffective: "The treatment does not work for patients with advanced stages of the disease."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not work for" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a particular method, solution, or approach is ineffective or unsuitable for a specific subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not work for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey ineffectiveness or unsuitability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's acceptable in a wide range of contexts, from formal news articles to informal discussions. While commonly used, ensure you clarify the scope of ineffectiveness, specifying for whom or under what conditions something "does not work". Consider alternative phrases like "is ineffective for" or "is not applicable to" to fine-tune your meaning. Its prevalence in News & Media, Academia, and Science highlights its versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not effective for

Similar to 'is ineffective' but with slightly different emphasis.

is ineffective for

Replaces "does not work" with a more formal synonym for ineffective.

is unsuitable for

Indicates that something is not appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or person.

is incompatible with

Highlights that two things cannot coexist or function together effectively.

is not helpful for

Focuses on the lack of assistance or support provided.

is not applicable to

Highlights that something isn't relevant or can't be applied in a given situation.

does not suit

A simpler alternative that emphasizes lack of compatibility.

fails to achieve results for

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcomes in a specific context.

is counterproductive for

Suggests the action actually hinders progress instead of helping.

is unavailing for

A more formal and less common way of saying something is useless.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "does not work for"?

The phrase "does not work for" is suitable when indicating that a particular method, solution, or approach is ineffective or unsuitable for a specific person, group, or situation. For example, "That strategy "does not work for" everyone."

What are some alternatives to "does not work for"?

Alternatives to "does not work for" include "is ineffective for", "is unsuitable for", or "is not applicable to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "does not work for" grammatically correct in formal writing?

Yes, "does not work for" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. While it's relatively informal, it's widely accepted. If a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives like "is not effective for".

How does "does not work for" differ from "does not apply to"?

"Does not work for" implies ineffectiveness in achieving a desired outcome, while "does not apply to" suggests that something is irrelevant or not pertinent. For example, "This rule "does not apply to" volunteers" means the rule is not relevant to them, whereas "This strategy "does not work for" beginners" means it's ineffective for them.