Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

is working as designed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is working as designed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is functioning according to its intended specifications or expectations. Example: "After thorough testing, we can confirm that the software is working as designed and meets all requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It confirms the collaborative approach adopted by Huawei, the UK Government and operators is working as designed, meeting obligations and providing unique, world class network integrity assurance through ongoing risk management.

News & Media

TechCrunch

As Obamacare's architect, Jonathan Gruber, likes to point out, the ACA is "working as designed".

News & Media

Huffington Post

Democrats really need to make the case for how well Obamacare is working as designed.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A reporter happened to be sitting with him as the rover's most sophisticated instrument, called the SAM, beamed back data showing it was working as designed.

News & Media

Independent

In that August week, operators spent less time taking calls, suggesting that despite its initial problems, the new computer interface rolled out in May was working as designed.

News & Media

The New York Times

James R. Heckel Sparta, N.J., April 22, 2008 To the Editor: In Bob Herbert's column, Bill Gates is quoted as saying that "our high schools — even when they're working as designed — cannot teach all our students what they need to know today".

News & Media

The New York Times

It's a wild little proof-of-concept that is being shown at the Glazen Huis in Amsterdam and it looks like it's working as designed, although I can only imagine what kind of mess will build up inside the robot over time.

News & Media

TechCrunch

"We designed our field program to ensure that our intake and due diligence processes are working as designed," said John Hecklinger, GlobalGiving's Chief Program Officer.

News & Media

Huffington Post

When it's working "as designed," I think of guilt as a feedback system, a sort of moral compass that guides us soundly, and lets us know when we need to adjust course.

News & Media

Huffington Post

A forward-facing camera showed the truck's headlight and emergency flashers were on as the train approached, and the grade-crossing arms had come down down and all signals were working as designed, he said.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

And then there's the loss of authorship: if the piece is working as she designed it, she cannot fix anything.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is working as designed" to clearly communicate that a system, process, or component is operating according to its intended specifications, especially in technical or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is working as designed" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly technical or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it's working fine" or "it's working as expected".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is working as designed" functions as a descriptive statement, confirming that a system or component is operating according to its intended specifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is working as designed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that confirms a system or component functions according to its intended specifications. Ludwig AI verifies its correct usage, primarily in technical or formal contexts. While versatile, it may sound overly technical in casual settings, where simpler alternatives are preferable. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. For example, it's useful for technical reports, business communications, and formal assessments to convey reliability and adherence to standards. When in doubt, consider the audience and context to determine if a simpler, more accessible phrase would be more appropriate.

FAQs

How can I use "is working as designed" in a sentence?

You can use "is working as designed" to indicate that something is functioning according to its intended specifications. For example, "The new software "is working as designed" and meets all requirements."

What are some alternatives to "is working as designed"?

Alternatives include "functions as intended", "operates as expected", or "performing according to specifications" depending on the context.

Is "is working as designed" formal or informal?

"Is working as designed" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in technical or professional settings. Simpler alternatives are preferable in informal contexts.

What does it mean when something "is working as designed"?

It means that the system or product is functioning in the way its creators intended, and it's achieving the objectives set out during the design phase.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: