not even working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not even working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is completely non-functional or ineffective. Example: "I tried to fix the old printer, but it's not even working anymore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Developmental biologist Thomas Lecuit combines a successful scientific career and fatherhood by keeping work and family completely separate--and that means not even working from home in the evenings or on weekends.

Science Magazine

"I've downed half a gallon of water and I'm not even working yet," he said.

The New York Times

"Look at the money the industry spends on conventional pitchers, and most of them end up on the disabled list, not even working.

The New York Times - Sports

What Romney's career shows, after all, is that once you're at the top, you can keep being called C.E.O. even if you're not even working at the company.

The New Yorker

But most of the primary voters are going to consider their options, and though Mrs Palin is a practiced attack dog, that won't work in a primary (it's not even working in the general election).

The Economist

I'd argue that the only lasting shift in the last two years came after the 2012 budget and the double-dip recession, which combined to convince many voters that the Conservatives were out of touch, unfair and not even working all that well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"I do not even work with clay".

The New York Times - Arts

They had not even worked toward finding an alternative location, he said.

The New York Times

Years and years of kneeling down before every mullah you could find, and it did not even work.

The New York Times

Besides, Mr. Yahya said, the plan is so vague and technically unfeasible that it will probably not even work.

The New York Times - Tech

To commemorate the occasion and the gesture, the light was never replaced, and it may not even work anymore.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not even working" to clearly and directly state that something is completely non-functional or ineffective, leaving no room for ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the system has issues", specify: "the system is not even working".

Common error

While "not even working" is perfectly acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "non-operational" or "inoperative" in professional or academic writing to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "not even working" is to act as a predicate adjective describing the state of a noun. It indicates that something is in a state of complete non-functionality or ineffectiveness. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatility in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not even working" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something is entirely non-functional or ineffective. While it's versatile enough for various contexts, Ludwig suggests that writers might consider more formal alternatives like "non-operational" or "inoperative" for professional or academic writing. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific Research. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase adheres to standard English grammar and serves to highlight the absence of functionality, often with a tone of disappointment or frustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not functioning at all

Highlights the complete absence of function, more emphatic than the original.

non-operational

A formal synonym indicating that something is not currently running or functioning.

completely non-functional

Emphasizes the total absence of functionality; stronger than the original phrase.

inoperative

A more formal and technical term for not being in working condition.

totally ineffective

Focuses on the lack of desired results or impact, shifting the emphasis from operation to outcome.

out of order

Specifically refers to a temporary state of being non-operational, often implying repair is possible.

not in service

Commonly used for equipment or systems that are temporarily unavailable for use.

broken down

Suggests a mechanical failure or breakdown, applicable mainly to physical objects.

unproductive

Indicates a lack of output or results, used mainly in contexts involving work or effort.

idle

Implies inactivity or a state of not being used, often temporary.

FAQs

What does "not even working" mean?

The phrase "not even working" means something is completely non-functional or ineffective. It suggests a total lack of operation.

How can I use "not even working" in a sentence?

You can use "not even working" to describe a broken machine, an ineffective strategy, or an inactive person. For example, "The printer is "not even working", so I can't print the document."

What can I say instead of "not even working"?

You can use alternatives like "completely non-functional", "totally ineffective", or "not functioning at all" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not even working"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in English. According to Ludwig, this phrase follows standard English grammar rules.