it generally works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it generally works" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something typically functions or operates as expected under normal circumstances. Example: "In most cases, it generally works well, but there may be exceptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"It generally works out fine," he said.

The New York Times

It generally works out best that way.

The Guardian - Books

It generally works well but errors are glaring.

The Guardian - Tech

It's not always pretty, but it generally works.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It generally works out, but I don't know how," he said.

The New York Times

So I generally go along with her thing of not strategizing, and it generally works out pretty well".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Of course, with so many millions of people on the web, and so relatively few people with the ability to write code, it's kind of amazing that it all generally works as well as it does.

TechCrunch

The latest trust review of the BBC's "window of creative competition" or WoCC, published on Wednesday, concluded that it was generally working well.

The Guardian

Jim Grams, vice president for technology development at AT&T Wireless, said, "Typing such an address on their mobile phone may be too much of an impediment, but it does generally work".

The New York Times - Tech

Bailey said he could not say the exact measures the group would push for, but it would generally work to advance coal technologies and find ways to keep coal in the energy mix.

Huffington Post

In 1997, he led a multiagency evaluation of the program, 8 which concluded that it was generally working well.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it generally works", ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to, enhancing clarity and preventing ambiguity. For example, "The new software update generally works well, improving overall system performance."

Common error

Avoid using "it generally works" without providing specific examples or conditions. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument. Instead, provide context, like "The system generally works efficiently under normal load conditions, but may experience slowdowns during peak hours."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it generally works" functions as a statement of typical efficacy or operational success. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and used to show that something normally performs as expected. The word 'it' acts as a placeholder for a specific subject, and 'generally works' describes the nature of its functionality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

17%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it generally works" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something typically functions as expected, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across multiple contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, with a neutral register suitable for both professional and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding what "it" refers to and to avoid overgeneralizations by providing specific conditions or examples. Alternatives like "it typically functions" or "it usually operates" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it typically functions

Replaces "generally works" with a synonym emphasizing typical operation.

it usually operates

Substitutes "generally works" with a synonym indicating common performance.

it normally functions

Employs "normally" instead of "generally" for a similar meaning.

it commonly succeeds

Focuses on successful outcomes rather than general operation.

it often performs well

Adds "well" to emphasize the quality of the performance.

it mostly delivers results

Highlights the delivery of results, implying effectiveness.

it frequently produces outcomes

Uses "frequently" and focuses on the production of outcomes.

it tends to be effective

Shifts the focus to effectiveness and uses "tends to be".

it has a good track record

Indicates a history of successful performance, implying it works most of the time.

it proves reliable in practice

Emphasizes reliability based on practical experience.

FAQs

How can I use "it generally works" in a sentence?

You can use "it generally works" to express that something typically functions as intended or produces the expected results. For example, "The new strategy "it generally works" well in most cases, although there might be exceptions".

What are some alternatives to "it generally works"?

Alternatives to "it generally works" include "it typically functions", "it usually operates", or "it normally functions", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "it generally works" or "it always works"?

"It generally works" is more appropriate when you want to indicate that something functions correctly most of the time, but not necessarily all the time. "It always works" implies a much stronger guarantee of consistent functionality, which may not be accurate in many real-world situations.

What's the difference between "it generally works" and "it sometimes works"?

"It generally works" implies that something functions correctly more often than not, suggesting a high degree of reliability. "It sometimes works" suggests the opposite, indicating that something is unreliable and only functions correctly on occasion.