it stopped working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it stopped working' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a machine, device, or tool is no longer functioning properly. For example: "My computer stopped working yesterday, so I had to buy a new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I often slept well the first few nights of trying something new before it stopped working its magic, which I partially attribute to the placebo effect.

HuffPost

The firm said that was its most recent data available because it stopped working with P.E.I. in early 2007.

The New York Times

Turner's device was extremely expensive and its components corroded rapidly, but before it stopped working it had converted approximately twelve per cent of the energy in the sunlight that fell on it, making it up to twelve times better at fuel production than a green plant.

The New Yorker

But in its 2012 Global Responsibility report, Wal-Mart said it stopped working with 49 factories in Bangladesh in 2011 because of fire safety issues.

Independent

Has it stopped working?

The Guardian

It stopped working.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We have continued monitoring the 4 cases with negative TST and positive T-SPOT-TB (the HCW with a negative TST and positive QFN-G-IT stopped working at our institution), and today, 4 years later, all remain healthy, their TST continue to be negative, the T-SPOT-TB is positive in 2 cases, but revert to negative in the other 2 cases.

Plosone

Despite its upregulation, it stops working as ceRNA in the cancerous state.

BMC Systems Biology

Then it stops working.

The Guardian - Film

Until it stops working.

The New Yorker

Taking allergy medicine daily can make it stop working.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the failure of a system or device, be specific about when "it stopped working" to provide context. For example, "The pump worked that day; it stopped working the next."

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "it" is clear and refers to a specific noun previously mentioned. Avoid using "it stopped working" in situations where the subject is unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it stopped working" functions as a simple declarative statement indicating the cessation of an action or process. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct and widely used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it stopped working" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the cessation of function of a device, system, or process. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently encountered in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives like "it ceased to function" for professional settings. When using the phrase, ensure the pronoun "it" is clear and the context provides relevant timing details. The prevalence and adaptability of "it stopped working" make it a valuable part of everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it ceased to function

Formal alternative, emphasizing a complete termination of operation.

it is out of order

Commonly used, especially for equipment or machinery.

it malfunctioned

Suggests a technical fault or error.

it broke down

Implies a more serious failure, often irreparable.

it quit operating

Direct and simple, suitable for general use.

it failed

General term indicating a lack of success or proper functioning.

it went kaput

Informal term indicating a sudden and complete failure.

it conked out

Informal, suggesting a sudden and unexpected cessation.

it gave out

Implies gradual decline leading to failure.

it is non-operational

More technical, indicating a current inability to operate.

FAQs

How can I use "it stopped working" in a sentence?

Use "it stopped working" to describe when a machine, device, or system ceased to function. For instance, "The printer worked initially, but "it stopped working" after a few days".

What are some alternatives to saying "it stopped working"?

Alternatives include "it ceased to function", "it malfunctioned", or "it broke down" depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "it stopped working" or "it doesn't work anymore"?

"It stopped working" indicates a specific point in the past when functionality ceased, while "it doesn't work anymore" describes the current state. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the timing of the failure.

Is "it stopped working" formal or informal?

"It stopped working" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For more formal situations, you might consider "it ceased operating".