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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it worked was
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it worked was" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, possibly a result of a missing conjunction or punctuation. Example: "I was surprised that it worked, was it not?"
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
38 human-written examples
The way it worked was that every node was put in its own community initially.
Science
That it worked was great and I'm obviously very happy".
News & Media
But the way it worked was, we first discussed doing covers.
News & Media
Yet what the system exposed as it worked was, in a way, worse than the injustice it remedied.
News & Media
"The way it worked was that after a period of erosion, with different opinions being condensed in his mind, a list of criteria would come up," Frances says.
News & Media
Basically the way it worked was that you would go in, pitch your produce, and the buyer would start knocking on his table.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
22 human-written examples
The way it works is simple.
News & Media
How it works is still uncertain.
News & Media
The way it works is as follows.
Academia
The way it works is this.
Academia
Making it work is quite another.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing how something operated, use grammatically correct phrases like "the way it worked" or "it functioned effectively" to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Common error
Avoid using the phrase "it worked was" as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use phrases like "the way it worked" or "it was effective" for accurate and clear communication.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it worked was" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't fulfill a standard grammatical function. It appears to be a fragment of a sentence, possibly missing a conjunction or auxiliary verb. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatical error.
Frequent in
News & Media
32%
Science
24%
Academia
12%
Less common in
Formal & Business
8%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "it worked was" is grammatically incorrect and not suitable for formal or professional writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatical error. Instead, consider using alternatives like "the way it worked", "it functioned", or "it was effective" to convey the intended meaning accurately. While examples exist across various contexts, the rarity and grammatical issues associated with the phrase make it best to avoid its usage in favor of clearer and more precise language.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it functioned
Replaces the original phrase with a grammatically correct and simpler alternative emphasizing the action of working or operating.
it succeeded
Offers a more direct and grammatically sound alternative, indicating a successful outcome.
it was effective
Emphasizes the effectiveness of something, providing a clearer and more common way to express the idea.
the way it worked
This is a partial correction by adding "the way" to make it a correct and standard phrase.
it operated
Similar to "it functioned", this alternative focuses on the operational aspect in a grammatically correct manner.
the method was successful
Rephrases the idea to focus on the success of a method or approach.
its operation was successful
Focuses on the successful operation of something, using more formal language.
the system worked
Highlights that a system was working correctly.
the plan worked
Highlights that a plan was working correctly.
it was in working order
Indicates something was functioning correctly and in good condition.
FAQs
How can I correct the phrase "it worked was"?
To correct "it worked was", you can use phrases such as "the way "it worked"", "it functioned", or "it was effective", depending on the context.
What are some alternatives to "it worked was" that are grammatically correct?
Grammatically correct alternatives include "it functioned", "it succeeded", or "it was effective".
Is "it worked was" ever appropriate in formal writing?
No, "it worked was" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more accurate alternatives like "the way it worked" or "it functioned successfully".
What's the difference between "it worked was" and "the way it worked"?
"It worked was" is grammatically incorrect, while "the way "it worked"" is a correct phrase used to describe a process or method.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested