has not worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has not worked' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that an action or attempt has not succeeded or yielded any successful results. Example: Despite his best efforts, John's plan to increase sales has not worked.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It has not worked.

The New York Times

That has not worked.

The New York Times

But this has not worked.

Independent

This approach has not worked.

The New York Times - Sports

It simply has not worked".

The New York Times

Globalisation has not worked.

The Guardian

Big has not worked.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this strategy has not worked.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

That hasn't worked.

The New York Times

The tactic hasn't worked.

The Economist

But it hasn't worked.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "failed" or "proven ineffective" when you want to emphasize the lack of success.

Common error

While acceptable, relying too heavily on "has not worked" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using stronger or more specific alternatives like "failed to achieve", "proved unsuccessful", or "did not yield the desired outcome".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not worked" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, negated to express that a past action or strategy has failed to achieve its intended outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct expression in written English. It's widely used to assess the ineffectiveness of a previously applied method.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Opinion

15%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has not worked" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that a particular strategy or action has been unsuccessful. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct expression. Predominantly found in News & Media and Opinion contexts, it serves to convey disappointment or the need for a change in approach. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and opt for more precise language in formal or scientific settings. By understanding its function and potential alternatives, you can effectively communicate the lack of success while maintaining clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been unsuccessful

Replaces "worked" with "unsuccessful", focusing on the lack of a positive outcome.

has failed

A more direct and forceful way of saying something didn't achieve its intended result.

has proven ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of effectiveness of a method or strategy.

did not succeed

A simple and straightforward alternative indicating a lack of success.

has not been effective

Focuses on the lack of desired impact or outcome.

hasn't yielded results

Highlights the absence of tangible outcomes or benefits.

has fallen short

Indicates that something didn't meet expectations or requirements.

has come to nothing

Suggests a complete lack of success, implying wasted effort.

has been in vain

Implies that efforts were ultimately fruitless and without value.

has not paid off

Focuses on the lack of return on investment or effort.

FAQs

How can I use "has not worked" in a sentence?

Use "has not worked" to indicate that a particular method, plan, or strategy has failed to produce the desired results. For example: "Despite numerous attempts, the new marketing campaign "has not worked"".

What can I say instead of "has not worked"?

You can use alternatives like "has failed", "has proven ineffective", or "did not succeed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to use "has not worked" or "did not work"?

Both phrases are correct, but "has not worked" implies a process or a series of attempts over time, while "did not work" suggests a single, isolated instance. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

What's the difference between "has not worked" and "is not working"?

"Has not worked" indicates that something attempted in the past has failed, whereas "is not working" describes something that is currently failing. The key difference lies in the time frame – past versus present.