if this doesn't work

USAGE SUMMARY

"if this doesn't work" is correct and usable in written English
You can use this phrase to indicate a contingency plan or that you are unsure of a particular outcome. For example, "I've tried to fix the car twice already, if this doesn't work I'm going to have to take it to a mechanic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If this doesn't work out, that's me".

The New York Times - Books

"If this doesn't work, we got nothing".

The New York Times - Magazine

If this doesn't work, don't worry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Please let me know if this doesn't work.

Independent

What will you do if this doesn't work?

The Guardian - Business

If this doesn't work in a year, 18 months, we'll know.

The New York Times

If this doesn't work, something else will".

Forbes

What happens if this doesn't work out?

TechCrunch

"I will go to Planned Parenthood if this doesn't work.

Vice

If this doesn't work, please apply a nonparametric counterpart of ANOVA such as Kruskal Wallis test.

eLife

If this doesn't work, corner it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if this doesn't work" to acknowledge potential setbacks and show foresight in planning. It allows for flexibility and adaptation.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "if this doesn't work" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "should this fail" or "in the event this is ineffective" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a broader vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if this doesn't work" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a potential outcome that requires an alternative action. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts, from personal advice to technical instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

41%

News & Media

33%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if this doesn't work" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a contingency plan. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While primarily used in neutral to informal contexts such as wikis and news articles, its directness may make it less suitable for highly formal or scientific writing. Remember to clearly state the alternative action and consider using synonyms to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

If this is unsuccessful

Replaces the contraction "doesn't" with "is unsuccessful", making it slightly more formal.

Should this fail

Uses "should" to express a hypothetical situation, creating a more concise alternative.

In the event this is ineffective

Introduces a more formal and cautious tone using "in the event" and "ineffective".

If this proves fruitless

Replaces "doesn't work" with "proves fruitless", adding a touch of figurative language.

Assuming this is not effective

Uses "assuming" to set up the conditional, offering a slightly different framing.

If this yields no results

Replaces "doesn't work" with "yields no results", common in technical or scientific contexts.

On the off chance this is not successful

Adds a sense of low probability with "on the off chance".

If this venture falls short

More suitable when referring to a project or undertaking.

Failing this approach

A shortened, more direct way to state the contingency.

If this method proves unavailing

Employs the word "unavailing" for a more sophisticated and formal expression.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if this doesn't work" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "in the event that this is ineffective", "should this approach prove unsuccessful", or "assuming this method does not yield the desired outcome".

What are some alternatives to "if this doesn't work" in a technical context?

In technical writing, consider using phrases such as "if this fails to execute", "should this process not complete successfully", or "if this operation returns an error". These options are precise and appropriate for technical documentation.

Is it acceptable to use "if this doesn't work" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "if this doesn't work" may sound too informal for some academic contexts. Alternatives like "should this hypothesis be disproven" or "in the event that these results are inconclusive" may be more suitable. For example, "We will proceed with experiment B "in the event that" experiment A does not yield significant results".

What's a more concise way to say "if this doesn't work"?

Concise alternatives include "failing this", "otherwise", or "if not". The best choice depends on the specific context and the need for clarity. For example, "Try method A; "otherwise", use method B".