Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
that's worked
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "that's worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to describe something that was successful after being put into practice. For example: "We tried a few different solutions, but in the end "that's worked" was the one that solved the problem."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science & Research
Alternative expressions(4)
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
59 human-written examples
"We have a veteran group that's worked here together for many years," Millennium's Bolen says.
Science & Research
We've had a great formula that's worked.
News & Media
It's a ridiculous choice of occupation that's worked -- so far".
News & Media
It's a good idea, and one that's worked in other rich countries.
News & Media
I have spent millions of dollars with Sirius radio and created a great partnership that's worked for everyone.
News & Media
"It's a management style that's worked for him in the past, and it's working for him now".
News & Media
"It's a bottom-up system of management that's worked very well".
News & Media
It's certainly one that's worked very well for the Manchester International Festival.
News & Media
It's a collaboration that's worked very well".
News & Media
I think what I have is a Champion one that's worked pretty well.
Science
And has started applying the formula that's worked so well in radio to television stations.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "that's worked" when you want to concisely express that a particular method, strategy, or approach has been successful in the past and continues to be effective.
Common error
Avoid using "that's worked" when referring to something in the future. Instead, use "that will work" or "that should work" to indicate a future expectation of success.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "that's worked" primarily functions as a concise descriptor of a past action or strategy that has yielded positive results. It often appears as a concluding remark within a sentence, summarizing the success of a previously mentioned endeavor, similar to examples found in Ludwig.
Frequent in
News & Media
81%
Science & Research
5%
Science
2%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "that's worked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a past action or strategy that has been successful. As Ludwig AI validates, it is widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While considered neutral in register, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or scientific writing. When using this expression, remember to avoid applying it to future scenarios. Consider alternatives such as ""that has been effective"" or ""that has proven successful"" for similar meanings.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
that has been effective
Replaces the contraction "that's" with "that has" and uses the synonym "effective" for "worked".
that has proven successful
Replaces "worked" with "proven successful", emphasizing the confirmed positive result.
that has been fruitful
Substitutes "worked" with "been fruitful", highlighting the productive nature of the endeavor.
that has yielded results
Replaces "worked" with "yielded results", focusing on the tangible outcomes achieved.
that has been advantageous
Substitutes "worked" with "been advantageous", emphasizing the benefits gained.
that has panned out
Uses the idiomatic expression "panned out" in place of "worked", indicating a successful conclusion.
that has come to fruition
Replaces "worked" with "come to fruition", focusing on the realization of a goal or plan.
that has borne fruit
Similar to "come to fruition", but uses the phrase "borne fruit" instead.
that has delivered the goods
Employs the colloquialism "delivered the goods" to convey successful performance.
that has achieved its purpose
Replaces "worked" with a more descriptive phrase, highlighting the fulfillment of the intended objective.
FAQs
How can I use "that's worked" in a sentence?
You can use "that's worked" to describe a method or strategy that has been successful. For example, "We tried several approaches, but only "that's worked"."
What are some alternatives to "that's worked"?
Alternatives include "that has been effective", "that has proven successful", or "that has yielded results", depending on the specific context.
Is "that's worked" formal or informal?
"That's worked" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for most contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might prefer a more explicit alternative like "that has been effective".
Can I use "that's worked" to describe something in the future?
No, "that's worked" refers to something that has already been successful. For future scenarios, use phrases like "that will work" or "that should work".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested