not work well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not work well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not functioning effectively or efficiently. Example: "The new software update may not work well with older operating systems, causing compatibility issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This did not work well.

The New York Times

That does not work well in politics.

The Economist

Luck's camera did not work well.

The New York Times - Sports

But that did not work well either.

The New York Times - Health

do not work well for brazed joints.

Advances in Brazing Science, Technology and Applications

Economically, that formula does not work well.

The Guardian - Opinion

The brakes did not work well.

The New York Times

As the figures suggest, these approaches do not work well.

The Economist

Still, outsourcing moderation does not work well for every company.

The New York Times

If that does not work well enough, consider the glasses.

The New York Times - Tech

Again, this did not work well in practice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system's failure, use "not work well" followed by a specific explanation of the issue. This provides clarity and avoids vague criticism.

Common error

While "not work well" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "function ineffectively" or "operate suboptimally" in reports and academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not work well" functions as a verb phrase expressing that something is not functioning as intended or is ineffective. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not work well" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that something is functioning ineffectively or failing to produce the desired results. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and common across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While its simplicity makes it suitable for general communication, more formal contexts might benefit from more precise language. Remember to provide specific details about the cause of ineffectiveness to enhance clarity and impact. Common alternatives include phrases like ""not function effectively"" or ""fail to deliver"", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not function effectively

Emphasizes the lack of efficiency in the functioning of something.

not operate correctly

Focuses on the incorrect or faulty operation of a system or device.

be ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired results or impact.

fall short

Indicates a failure to meet expectations or requirements.

not be successful

Refers to the failure in achieving a specific goal or outcome.

fail to deliver

Implies a failure to provide the expected or promised results.

not pan out

An informal way of saying something didn't go as planned or expected.

be unproductive

Focuses on the lack of useful output or results.

be fruitless

Highlights the lack of positive results despite effort.

not cut it

An informal phrase suggesting something is insufficient or inadequate.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "not function effectively", "be ineffective", or "fail to deliver" depending on the context.

How to use "not work well" in a sentence?

You can use "not work well" to describe a situation where something isn't functioning as expected. For example, "The new software may "not work well" with older systems."

Which is correct, "not work well" or "not working well"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Not work well" describes a general state of ineffectiveness, while "not working well" describes a current state of malfunction.

What's the difference between "not work well" and "not perform well"?

"Not work well" generally refers to the basic functionality of something, while "not perform well" refers to the level of quality or efficiency in its operation. For example, a car might "not work well" if it won't start, but it might "not perform well" if it has low fuel efficiency.