had worked like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had worked like" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past action or state that functioned in a certain way, often in a comparative context. Example: "The machine had worked like a charm, producing flawless results every time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Nobody had worked like that with him before".

The New York Times - Arts

The Armenian advertising had worked like a charm, Skelton said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"None of us had worked like this before, in such a short time frame with such a broad brief," Goldberg said.

The Guardian - Arts

The crooks had worked like conjurers, the authorities said, snatching the motorcycles off the street and loading them into vans within seconds.

The New York Times

He spent time talking to the younger players — the Blair Whites and Jacob Tammes of his new world — trying to bring them up to speed on an offense that had worked like a clock until this season.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had worked like crazy all week because of Valentine's Day, but the fire burned my money," Ms. Sánchez said dejectedly, estimating that she probably had $1,000 in the box.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They should have worked like us".

The New York Times - Magazine

He must have worked like dog".

The Guardian - Arts

The operative added, "It has worked like a charm".

The New York Times

"I have worked like this all along," he said.

The New York Times

So far that strategy has worked like a charm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had worked like" to draw comparisons between the effectiveness or functionality of different entities or strategies in the past. Ensure the comparison is clear and adds value to the sentence.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses within the same sentence when using "had worked like". Ensure that the rest of the sentence maintains a consistent past perfect or past simple tense to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had worked like" functions as a verb phrase used to describe how something operated or performed in the past, often drawing a comparison to something else. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had worked like" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe how something functioned or performed in the past, often in comparison to something else. As affirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and clarity in comparisons. Alternatives such as "functioned similarly to" or "operated in the same manner as" can offer slight nuances in meaning. Overall, "had worked like" is a reliable phrase for illustrating past processes and their effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functioned similarly to

Emphasizes the similarity in function or operation.

operated in the same manner as

Highlights the identical way something was carried out.

performed as effectively as

Focuses on the level of effectiveness achieved.

was as successful as

Emphasizes the degree of success obtained.

yielded results comparable to

Stresses the similarity in the outcomes produced.

mirrored the effects of

Suggests a close resemblance in the observed consequences.

behaved in a fashion akin to

Indicates a similarity in conduct or behavior.

followed a pattern similar to

Highlights that a similar sequence of actions was repeated.

produced an outcome akin to

Focuses on the similarity of the final outcome.

was reminiscent of

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in characteristics.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had worked like" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "functioned similarly to", "operated in the same manner as", or "performed as effectively as" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "had worked like a charm"?

When something "had worked like a charm", it means it was very successful and effective in achieving the desired outcome. It implies a positive result with minimal effort or difficulty.

Is it correct to say "has worked like" instead of "had worked like"?

The choice between "has worked like" and "had worked like" depends on the context. "Has worked like" implies that something continues to work effectively in the present, while "had worked like" refers to something that was effective in the past.

What are some alternatives to "had worked like" that emphasize success?

Alternatives that emphasize success include phrases like "was as successful as", or "yielded results comparable to", which highlight the positive outcome of a past action.