it worked properly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it worked properly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something functioned as intended or without issues. Example: "After the updates were installed, I tested the software, and I was pleased to find that it worked properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This is something my kidney would do if it worked properly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ultimate test would be to insert the DNA into living yeast cells to see if it worked properly.

The New York Times

While there was agreement among scientists that an explosion occurred, seismic readings raised questions about the size of the weapon and whether it worked properly.

The New York Times

Salar Kamangar, Google's director for product development, said the company was continually tweaking the service and would not place it on Google's main site until it worked properly.

The New York Times

But such a system, if it worked properly, could give us an extra dimension of insurance in a world where proliferation has complicated the task of preserving the peace.

The New York Times

But before that came the crowning blunder of his investment career, the Paige Compositor, a five-thousand-pound typesetting machine that worked, when it worked properly, six times faster than a laborer could.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It is in the vendors' interests to sell as much as possible, whether or not their customers need it, or it justifies its cost, or it works properly.

The Economist

Recompile the DLL file to make it work properly in its software environment.

WikiHow

Test this to make sure it works properly.

Yale University

Stimulating it so that it works properly is a rather newer idea.

The Economist

If it works properly, that would be a major step forward for 3-D gaming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the successful operation of a system or device, use "it worked properly" to clearly indicate that it functioned as intended without any issues.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "it was worked properly" as it's grammatically incorrect and less direct than the active voice "it worked properly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it worked properly" typically functions as a statement indicating that a device, system, or process operated as intended, without any malfunctions or errors. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts to confirm correct functionality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

36%

Science

24%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it worked properly" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote that something has functioned as intended. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and illustrates its application across various domains, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "it functioned as intended" or "it operated correctly", the original phrase remains a clear and effective choice for expressing successful operation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it functioned as intended

Replaces "worked" with "functioned" and emphasizes the alignment with the intended outcome.

it operated correctly

Substitutes "worked" with "operated" and "properly" with "correctly", highlighting accurate operation.

it performed flawlessly

Replaces "worked properly" with "performed flawlessly", emphasizing a high level of performance.

it was fully functional

Shifts the focus to the state of being functional, implying that all aspects are working.

it achieved the desired result

Focuses on the outcome, indicating that the intended result was accomplished.

it ran without issues

Highlights the absence of problems during operation.

it delivered as expected

Emphasizes meeting expectations in terms of performance or output.

it was successful in its operation

Adds formality and emphasizes the success of the operation or process.

it fulfilled its purpose

Focuses on whether the item or process met its intended purpose.

it behaved as designed

Emphasizes that the item or process worked according to its design specifications.

FAQs

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

You can use "it worked properly" to describe something that functioned as intended. For example, "After the updates were installed, I tested the software, and I was pleased to find that "it worked properly"."

What are some alternatives to "it worked properly"?

Some alternatives include "it functioned as intended", "it operated correctly", or "it performed flawlessly".

Is it correct to say "it was working properly" instead of "it worked properly"?

Both are grammatically correct but have slightly different meanings. "It worked properly" implies a completed action, while "it was working properly" describes a state of ongoing function at a particular time.

What's the difference between "it worked properly" and "it worked correctly"?

The phrases are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "it worked properly" can sometimes imply that something not only functioned correctly but also appropriately within a given context, whereas "it worked correctly" focuses more on the accuracy of the function.