not going to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not going to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not effective or will not succeed in a particular context. Example: "I tried to fix the issue with a simple restart, but that approach is not going to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not going to work.

The New York Times

This is just not going to work.

The New York Times

It's just not going to work.

The New York Times

That's not going to work, either.

The New York Times

And it's not going to work.

The New Yorker

It's not going to work here".

The New York Times

"You're not going to work tomorrow".

The New Yorker

PF0231006 was not going to work.

The New Yorker

But it's not going to work.

The Guardian

This is not going to work".

The New York Times

"Not going to work here".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly; while acceptable in most contexts, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "will not be effective" or "is not feasible".

Common error

While "not going to work" is widely understood, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for alternatives that convey the same meaning with a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not going to work" functions as a negative predictive statement. It asserts that a particular action, plan, or situation is unlikely to yield the desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not going to work" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase expressing doubt about the success or effectiveness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "won't be effective" or "isn't feasible" in professional settings. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

won't be effective

Replaces "not going to work" with a focus on the lack of effectiveness.

isn't feasible

Replaces "not going to work" with a focus on the lack of practicality or possibility.

will not succeed

Replaces "not going to work" with a more formal emphasis on the failure to achieve a desired outcome.

is bound to fail

Replaces "not going to work" with the idea that is destined to fail.

is doomed to failure

Replaces "not going to work" with stronger expression about the certainty of failure.

is a lost cause

Replaces "not going to work" with the acknowledgement that is useless to try.

can't be done

Replaces "not going to work" with the impossibility of accomplishing the task.

is out of the question

Replaces "not going to work" with the unacceptability.

has no chance of success

Replaces "not going to work" highlighting the absence of a successful outcome.

isn't going to cut it

Replaces "not going to work" with the idea that something is not sufficient or adequate.

FAQs

What does "not going to work" mean?

The phrase "not going to work" indicates that something is unlikely to succeed, be effective, or produce the desired outcome in a given situation. It expresses a prediction of failure or ineffectiveness.

How can I use "not going to work" in a sentence?

You can use "not going to work" to express doubt about the success of a plan, method, or idea. For example: "Trying to fix the old computer is "not going to work"; it's time to buy a new one."

What are some alternatives to "not going to work"?

Alternatives include "won't be effective", "isn't feasible", or "will not succeed". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is "not going to work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not going to work" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. While some may prefer more formal alternatives in certain contexts, the phrase itself is not grammatically incorrect.