Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

it worked good

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it worked good" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form is "it worked well," which is used to describe the effectiveness of something. Example: "The new software was implemented last week, and I'm happy to report that it worked well during the testing phase."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It worked good".

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It works good, but sometimes the end pulls out.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It works good enough," said Munjal Shah, Like.com's chief executive.

It works and it works good, so get busy on behalf of your clients.

News & Media

Huffington Post

It works good for pets that go on dirty adventures!

It works good but you can also buy arrow fletching kits for cheap.

It works well in good lighting.

It's like serious togetherness and it just works good.

News & Media

Huffington Post

It doesn't work good with a dime with sticky stuff on it.

"I'll tell you, it's been working good".

But it worked out good.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the successful operation of something, use "it worked well" instead of "it worked good" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "good" when the adverb "well" is required to modify the verb "worked". Remember that adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it worked good" primarily functions as a statement describing the effectiveness of an action or process. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct form is "it worked well".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it worked good" might be understood in informal settings, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI emphasizes that the correct form is "it worked well". When you aim to describe something that functioned successfully, use the adverb "well" instead of the adjective "good". This ensures clarity and correctness in your writing. Remember to avoid this common grammatical error, and you will improve the precision of your language.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "it worked good"?

The grammatically correct alternative is "it worked well". The word "well" is an adverb and correctly modifies the verb "worked".

Can I use "it worked good" in casual conversation?

While some might understand your meaning in informal settings, it's best to use "it worked well" to maintain grammatical accuracy even in casual contexts.

What are some alternatives to saying "it worked good"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was effective", "it was successful", or "it functioned properly" instead of the incorrect "it worked good".

Is there a difference between "it worked well" and "it worked good"?

Yes, "it worked well" is grammatically correct because "well" is an adverb modifying the verb "worked". "It worked good" uses "good", an adjective, incorrectly. Always use "it worked well".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: