it didn't work out

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "it didn't work out" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when something that you hoped would happen didn't come to fruition. For example: "We planned to go on a trip together, but it didn't work out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It didn't work out".

The New York Times - Sports

It didn't work out well.

The New York Times

"It didn't work out," Mehler said.

The New Yorker

It didn't work out that way.

The New York Times

It didn't work out well.

The New Yorker

It didn't work out now.

The New York Times

"It didn't work out today.

The New York Times

It didn't work out really.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Today, it didn't work out".

The New York Times - Sports

It didn't work out, though.

The New York Times

Besides, what if it didn't work out?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it didn't work out" when you want to express that an attempt or plan failed to produce the intended result. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it didn't work out" prematurely. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the outcome is definitively known, and the effort has concluded. Using it while efforts are still underway can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it didn't work out" primarily functions as a declarative statement, expressing that a particular effort, plan, or attempt did not yield the intended or desired result. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it didn't work out" is a common and correct phrase used to express the failure of a plan or attempt. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is suitable for a variety of contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. While generally neutral, more formal situations may warrant more specific language. Related phrases such as "it failed" and "it was unsuccessful" offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning, depending on the desired nuance. Avoid using the phrase prematurely, reserving it for situations where the outcome is definitively known.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it failed

A direct and concise way to state that something did not succeed.

it didn't succeed

Similar to 'it failed' but slightly more formal.

it didn't pan out

An idiomatic expression meaning that something didn't turn out as expected.

it fell through

Suggests that a plan or arrangement failed to materialize.

it was unsuccessful

Focuses on the lack of success, omitting the implied effort.

it came to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of result or accomplishment.

it proved fruitless

Highlights the lack of positive outcome despite effort.

it was all in vain

Implies that the effort was wasted because it didn't produce the desired result.

it backfired

Implies that the action had an unintended and negative consequence.

it miscarried

Implies a failure to achieve an intended outcome or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "it didn't work out" in a sentence?

You can use "it didn't work out" to express that something you tried or planned didn't succeed. For example, "We hoped to collaborate on the project, but "it didn't work out"."

What are some alternatives to "it didn't work out"?

Some alternatives include "it failed", "it was unsuccessful", or "it didn't succeed", depending on the context.

Is "it didn't work out" formal or informal?

"It didn't work out" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain professional settings.

What's the difference between "it didn't work out" and "it didn't pan out"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it didn't pan out" is more idiomatic and slightly less formal than "it didn't work out". They are often interchangeable, but "it didn't pan out" might be more suitable in casual conversation.