it is not working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is malfunctioning or not functioning as intended. Example: "I tried to start the machine, but it is not working properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not working.

The New York Times

"It is not working," he said.

Independent

"It is not working," she said.

The New York Times

It is not working or not investing.

The New York Times

It is not working out that way.

The New York Times

It is not working now.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is not working out so well.

The New York Times

But it is not working out that way.

The New York Times

The evidence increasingly shows that it is not working.

The Guardian

"If it is not working, I'll help you.

The Economist

"It is not working as it was intended.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and choose a more precise or technical term if appropriate. While "it is not working" is widely understood, a more specific phrase might be more suitable in professional or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "it is not working" without providing context or details about the problem. Be specific about what isn't working and why. For example, instead of saying "the system is not working", specify "the system is not processing payments due to a server error."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not working" functions as a declarative statement expressing that something is failing to achieve its intended purpose or is malfunctioning. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not working" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to indicate that something is not functioning correctly or achieving the desired outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. While widely accepted, it's crucial to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity. Considering alternatives such as "it isn't effective" or "it's failing" can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It isn't effective

Uses a contraction and replaces "working" with "effective", maintaining a similar level of formality.

It's not functioning properly

Replaces "working" with a more technical term, "functioning properly", slightly increasing formality.

It's failing

A shorter, more direct way of saying something isn't working, implying a lack of success.

It has not been successful

More formal and emphasizes the lack of success rather than the process.

It's not producing the desired results

Focuses on the outcome, highlighting that the expected results are not being achieved.

It's not yielding results

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "yielding" to emphasize the lack of output or outcome.

It is proving ineffective

Emphasizes the process of something being shown to be ineffective over time.

The plan is not panning out

Uses the idiom "panning out" to describe a plan that is not succeeding.

The attempt is futile

More dramatic and suggests that the effort is pointless and doomed to fail.

This is a dead end

Idiomatic expression indicating no further progress or positive outcome is possible.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it is not working"?

You can use alternatives like "it isn't effective", "it's not functioning properly", or "it's failing" depending on the context.

Is "it is not working" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is not working" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is not functioning as intended.

When is it appropriate to use "it is not working"?

"It is not working" is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from informal conversations to professional settings, to describe a malfunctioning device, an ineffective strategy, or any situation where something isn't producing the desired outcome.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "it is not working"?

Avoid using "it is not working" without providing sufficient context. Be clear about what "it" refers to and, if possible, provide details about why it is not working. For example, instead of saying "the project is not working", specify "the project is not progressing because of budget constraints".