it really worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "It really worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a situation was successful in achieving a desired result. For example, "I was worried that my experiment wouldn't work, but it really worked!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The first few months I drove this," he said the other day, crawling through Branford, "it really worked my nerves.

The New York Times

It really worked.

The New York Times

So it really worked.

Independent

"It really worked!" he said.

The Guardian

It really worked out good".

The Guardian - Sport

And I think it really worked".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We tried it, and it really worked," Ms. Soloway said.

The New York Times

He explained to me how it really worked.

The New York Times

"When it really worked it was phenomenal," he says.

The Guardian - Music

I put the dry tyres on and it really worked.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Did it really work?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing this phrase in formal writing; consider more sophisticated synonyms like "it proved effective" or "it achieved the desired result".

Common error

Don't use "it really worked" when you hope something will succeed; use it only after you've confirmed the positive outcome. For example, "I was hoping the new strategy would increase sales, and thankfully, "it actually worked"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it really worked" functions as a declarative statement affirming the success or effectiveness of a previously attempted action, plan, or method. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it really worked" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to communicate that something has been successful. As Ludwig's AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in more informal settings. While it's perfectly acceptable, remember that in formal writing, more sophisticated alternatives may be preferable. The phrase carries a tone of satisfaction, and often a hint of surprise, indicating that the success wasn't necessarily guaranteed. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "it really worked" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was truly effective

Emphasizes the actual effectiveness of something.

it proved successful

Highlights the achievement of success, implying a test or trial.

it was actually beneficial

Focuses on the advantageous aspects and positive impact.

it had the desired effect

Indicates that the intended outcome was achieved.

it achieved the intended result

Highlights the accomplishment of a specific goal.

it delivered the goods

More informal, emphasizes that something fulfilled its promise.

it did the trick

Informal expression for solving a problem or achieving a goal.

it came off well

Focuses on the positive reception or execution of something.

it bore fruit

Emphasizes the positive results or outcomes that something produced.

it paid off

Indicates that an effort or investment resulted in a positive return.

FAQs

How can I use "it really worked" in a sentence?

Use "it really worked" to indicate that something was successful in achieving a desired result, often implying a sense of satisfaction or surprise. For instance, "I tried a new recipe, and "it really worked"!"

What are some alternatives to "it really worked"?

You can use alternatives like "it was truly effective", "it proved successful", or "it achieved the intended result" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it really worked" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrasing is "it really worked". The verb "work" should be in the past tense to indicate that the action of succeeding or being effective has already occurred.

When is it appropriate to use "it really worked" versus "it definitely worked"?

While both phrases convey success, "it really worked" often implies a sense of surprise or relief that something succeeded, whereas "it definitely worked" suggests a more certain or expected success.