fails to work effectively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to work effectively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not functioning as intended or is not achieving the desired results. Example: "The new software fails to work effectively, causing delays in our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Despite Mr. Trump's amazing victory in the face of fierce opposition from most of the Republican establishment, he won't accomplish squat if he fails to work effectively with that same establishment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In a blog post, Facebook said its "systems to identify and remove hate speech have failed to work as effectively as we would like, particularly around issues of gender-based hate".

The New York Times

Security has been beefed up, but the Kenyan police and military often fail to work together effectively.

BBC

The company said it would begin rolling out changes immediately after it became "clear that our systems to identify and remove hate speech have failed to work as effectively as we would like".

BBC

"In recent days, it has become clear that our systems to identify and remove hate speech have failed to work as effectively as we would like, particularly around issues of gender-based hate".

BBC

"Health care providers failed to work together".

The New York Times - Health

But the reforms often fail to work.

The Economist

The recorder had failed to work.

Vice

This may fail to work properly.

WikiHow

There may be much to criticise in US foreign policy, but the Left should reject anti-Americanism and acknowledge that previous attempts to reform the UN and get it to work effectively have failed, yet reform it must if it is to survive.

The Guardian - Opinion

A. Assess what you need to work effectively.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails to work effectively", ensure the context clearly specifies what is failing and what the expected outcome should be. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fails to work effectively" as a generic criticism. Instead, provide specific details about how something is failing and why it's not effective. This makes your critique more constructive and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to work effectively" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing a judgment about the performance of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is not functioning as intended or achieving the desired results.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fails to work effectively" is a common way to express that something isn't functioning as desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable and correct in written English. While grammatically sound and versatile, using it effectively requires specifying what is failing and how. Alternatives like "does not function effectively" or "is ineffective" can provide subtle shifts in tone. Remember, providing context and specific details makes your critique more constructive. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not function effectively

Replaces "fails" with a more neutral "does not function", slightly softening the negative connotation.

is not operating effectively

Focuses on the ongoing process of "operating" rather than a complete failure, suggesting potential for improvement.

does not perform effectively

Emphasizes the lack of effective performance, highlighting the outcome rather than the process.

is ineffective

A more concise way of saying something doesn't work well; it's a direct statement of ineffectiveness.

is not yielding the desired results

Shifts the focus to the lack of expected outcomes, implying a specific goal is not being met.

is not producing the intended effect

Similar to the above, but emphasizes the "intended effect", suggesting a planned outcome is not occurring.

is not achieving its purpose

Highlights the failure to achieve a specific objective or aim.

is deficient in its operation

Suggests a flaw or inadequacy in the way something operates, implying a technical problem.

is not up to par

A more informal way to express that something is not meeting the required standard or level of performance.

falls short of expectations

Focuses on the discrepancy between actual performance and anticipated expectations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "fails to work effectively" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "does not function effectively", "is not operating efficiently", or "is ineffective". These options offer a more professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

What are some synonyms for "fails to work effectively" that emphasize the lack of results?

To highlight the lack of desired outcomes, you could use phrases such as "is not yielding the desired results", or "is not producing the intended effect" "is not producing the intended effect".

Is it grammatically correct to say "fails to effectively work" instead of "fails to work effectively"?

While understandable, "fails to work effectively" is the more conventional and grammatically preferred phrasing. The alternative can sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "fails to work effectively" and simply saying "doesn't work"?

"Doesn't work" implies a complete cessation of function. "Fails to work effectively" suggests it functions, but not to the desired or required standard. Thus the first is absolute, the second is relative and admits a degree of partial functioning.