not work smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not work smoothly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not operating properly or efficiently. For example, "I'm having trouble getting my new printer to work smoothly; it keeps jamming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Cohen reported to Cooper directly, and the two did not work smoothly together.

The New Yorker

And sometimes pieces of kit from different makers do not work smoothly together.WiMax does away with this problem by establishing a standard that puts everyone on an equal footing.

The Economist

But it was clear that in practice the sequence did not work smoothly, that it was replete with exceptions and shortcuts, and that the quality of inputs available to Sales or Pricing personnel in any step could be quite poor.

Harvard Business Review

Some commentators have raised fears the new piece will not work smoothly in vending machines but the Royal Mint said the coin "will be expressly designed to fit existing mechanisms".

BBC

Corporate treasurers worry that credit markets may not work smoothly then, so in preparation they're trying to ensure that they are well-funded, paying down short-term obligations, such as commercial paper, and taking on two-to five-year debt instead.

Forbes

There were basic privacy issues that still needed to be hammered out (and were quickly addressed by Google), but beyond that Google Buzz simply did not work smoothly enough to force feed it to 175 million Gmail users without any warning.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But the programs have not worked smoothly.

The New York Times

"All it takes is 1 percent of things not working smoothly to have tens or hundreds of thousands or even millions of people with problems".

The New York Times

Fiat-Chrysler's alliance with Japan's Suzuki and its Indian partner, Maruti, has proved rather unwieldy and is still not working smoothly.

The Economist

This process has not worked smoothly for years, but it has contributed to some efficiency in the way Congress has handled budget bills.

The New York Times

The ball joint assembly in a vehicle with strut suspension should make a slight clicking sound when you move it up and down, and you should be able to hear it easily if it's worn out and not working smoothly as it should.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not work smoothly" to describe processes, systems, or relationships that are experiencing friction or inefficiency. It effectively communicates that the expected or desired flow is disrupted.

Common error

Don't use "not work smoothly" as a generic placeholder for any kind of problem. Be specific about the nature of the issue if possible. For instance, instead of saying "The project did not work smoothly", consider specifying: "The project faced unexpected delays due to resource constraints."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not work smoothly" functions as a descriptor, indicating that a process, system, or relationship is experiencing difficulties or inefficiencies. It conveys a lack of seamless operation, aligning with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not work smoothly" effectively describes situations where processes or interactions are hampered by inefficiencies or problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it is also present in scientific and general sources. While versatile, precise language might be necessary depending on the formality of the text and the specific context. If you need an alternative, you may want to try phrases as "not function properly" or "encounter difficulties".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not function properly

Replaces "work smoothly" with "function properly", focusing on the functionality aspect.

not operate correctly

Substitutes "work smoothly" with "operate correctly", emphasizing the operational aspect of the action.

not run efficiently

Changes "work smoothly" to "run efficiently", highlighting the efficiency of the process.

encounter difficulties

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term about facing problems.

face obstacles

Similar to "encounter difficulties" but puts more emphasis on the impediments faced.

experience problems

Replaces the idea of working smoothly with the broader idea of experiencing issues.

not proceed without difficulty

Emphasizes the presence of problems during the progression of something.

be fraught with complications

Highlights the intricate and complex nature of the difficulties encountered.

have its share of glitches

Suggests that the process has some minor malfunctions or issues.

hit some snags

Informal way to say that some unexpected difficulties were faced.

FAQs

What does "not work smoothly" mean?

The phrase "not work smoothly" indicates that something isn't functioning as intended, implying inefficiency, friction, or disruption in the process or system. It suggests the presence of problems hindering optimal performance.

How can I use "not work smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use "not work smoothly" to describe various situations, such as: "The new software integration did "not work smoothly" due to compatibility issues", or "Their partnership did "not work smoothly" because of conflicting management styles".

What can I say instead of "not work smoothly"?

You can use alternatives like "not function properly", "not operate correctly", or "encounter difficulties" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not work smoothly" or "not run smoothly"?

Both phrases are correct, but "not run smoothly" is typically used when referring to processes or systems that have a flow or sequence, such as a production line or a software program. "Not work smoothly" is more general and can apply to relationships, collaborations, or any situation where things aren't progressing as expected.