it still worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it still worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something continued to function or be effective despite potential issues or changes. Example: "After all the modifications, I was surprised to find that it still worked perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

In one logistically complicated scene, he admits, "We were not sophisticated enough to do this shot, but it still worked in its roughness". Meanwhile in an entertaining actors' commentary, Favreau and Vaughn compare their memories of a shoot that was "highly illegal and dangerous".

BBC

It still worked.

The New Yorker

Grateful every time it still worked.

The New York Times - Books

Grateful every time that it still worked.

The New Yorker

"Surprisingly, when I took it out, it still worked.

The New Yorker

What did Tiangong-1 do when it still worked?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

And it still works.

The New York Times

It still works.

The New York Times - Sports

Miraculously, it still works.

Stanford University

Does it still work?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"And it still works fine".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it still worked" to express surprise or satisfaction that something continued to function or be effective despite potential problems, damage, or age. For example, "After being dropped in water, I was amazed that it still worked."

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "it" has a clear and specific referent in your writing. Avoid using "it still worked" when the reader might not know what "it" refers to. Always ensure there's an explicit antecedent in the text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it still worked" primarily functions as a concise statement affirming the continued operability or effectiveness of something. Ludwig AI data and analysis confirm that it serves to express surprise or satisfaction that a thing continued to function. The phrase is constructed simply, with a pronoun, adverb, and verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it still worked" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the continued functionality or effectiveness of something, often in surprising or challenging circumstances. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. Appearing frequently in News & Media, it also finds use in Academia and more informal contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the referent of "it" is clear to your audience. Consider alternatives like "it remained effective" or "it continued to function" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained effective

Focuses on the continued effectiveness of something.

it continued to function

Emphasizes the ongoing functionality of something.

it was still effective

Similar meaning, slight change in tense and emphasis.

it continued to be useful

Highlights the sustained usefulness of something.

it managed to work

Implies a degree of difficulty or surprise that it worked.

it proved effective

Highlights the act of demonstrating effectiveness.

it was unexpectedly effective

Adds an element of surprise or unexpectedness to the effectiveness.

it surprisingly worked

Focuses on the surprising nature of the success.

it held up

Indicates that something withstood a challenge and remained functional.

it stood the test of time

Emphasizes long-term functionality or effectiveness.

FAQs

What does "it still worked" imply?

The phrase "it still worked" implies that something continued to function or be effective despite a situation where it might have been expected not to, such as after damage, long use, or under difficult conditions.

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

You can use "it still worked" to show surprise or satisfaction that something continued to function. For example, "Despite the heavy rain, the old car "it still worked" perfectly."

What can I say instead of "it still worked"?

You can use alternatives like "it remained effective", "it continued to function", or "it managed to work" depending on the context.

Is "it still working" the same as "it still worked"?

"It still working" implies a continuous action that is currently happening, while "it still worked" indicates that something functioned successfully at a specific point in the past. Example: "Is the printer still working?" vs. "Even after the power outage, "it still worked" when I restarted it."