does not work well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not work well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is ineffective or not functioning as intended. Example: "The new software update does not work well with older operating systems, causing frequent crashes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That does not work well in politics.

The Economist

Economically, that formula does not work well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, outsourcing moderation does not work well for every company.

The New York Times

If that does not work well enough, consider the glasses.

The New York Times - Tech

The SNC does not work well with other opposition groups.

The Guardian

The model does not work well at smaller scales.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately, IHC does not work well for GABA.

Harvard University

Extrapolation without logarithmic terms (β1 = β2 = 0) does not work well.

Journal of Computational Physics

Fiat most often does not work well and evolution takes time.

The Economist

The trouble is that motion-capture technology does not work well outdoors.

The Economist

And it does not hold developers accountable for offering software that simply does not work well.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the shortcomings of a system or method, use "does not work well" to clearly communicate its ineffectiveness without sounding overly critical. Be specific about why it doesn't work well.

Common error

Avoid using "does not work well" as a standalone critique. Always follow up with an explanation of why something isn't working well. This provides valuable insight and strengthens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not work well" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something is ineffective or performs suboptimally. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples from Ludwig show it used across diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not work well" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate ineffectiveness or suboptimal performance. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness, showing its prevalence across diverse contexts from scientific literature to news articles. While the phrase is generally neutral, providing specific reasons why something "does not work well" will enhance clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "is not effective" or "fails to function properly" for different shades of meaning or levels of formality. Its frequent usage underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not effective

Replaces the verb "work" with "effective", focusing on the lack of desired outcome.

is ineffective

A more concise way to express the lack of effectiveness.

fails to function properly

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the malfunctioning aspect.

is not performing optimally

Highlights the suboptimal performance rather than complete failure.

is not up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that something is below the expected standard.

is not producing the desired results

Focuses on the lack of expected outcomes, highlighting the failure in achieving goals.

is unsuitable

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

is unworkable

Highlights the impracticality or infeasibility of something.

is flawed

Indicates the presence of inherent defects that hinder proper functioning.

doesn't cut it

An informal idiom indicating that something is insufficient or inadequate.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives such as "is not effective", "fails to function properly", or "is ineffective" depending on the specific context.

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

Use "does not work well" to describe something that is ineffective or malfunctioning. For example: "This solution does not work well in high-pressure situations."

Is "does not work well" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "does not work well" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, consider using phrases such as "fails to function properly".

What's the difference between "does not work well" and "does not work at all"?

"Does not work well" implies that something is functioning, but not effectively or optimally. "Does not work at all" means that something is completely non-functional or broken.