that should work

USAGE SUMMARY

"that should work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where you think a particular strategy, plan, or solution will be successful. For example, "Let's try this approach; that should work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

James Yes, that should work.

The Guardian - Tech

"On the other, it's frustrating anytime something that should work doesn't".

The New York Times

For whatever reason, jokes that should work on the Penguin Rep stage sometimes don't.

The New York Times

That means that schemes that should work perfectly in principle frequently fail in practice.

The Economist

Market strategists point to several factors that should work to the advantage of the blue chips.

The New York Times

Yet Mr. Wladawsky-Berger also sees several forces that should work to close the gap.

The New York Times

Americans "build a system that should work, but they're building it on rubble," he added.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I: Do you think that, that's the way that it should work?

BMC Health Services Research

(It's exceedingly frustrating that it should work out that way, but life doesn't always reward the good guy).

The Guardian - Money

Analysts indicate that the businesses are largely complementary and that it should work for both firms.

Forbes

Or at least that it should work…" However, I'm not sure that's entirely true.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that should work", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'that' refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that should work" when the outcome is highly uncertain. Instead, use phrases like "that might work" or "that could work" to convey a lower degree of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that should work" functions as a modal construction expressing a reasonable expectation or belief that a particular action, plan, or method will be successful. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that should work" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that expresses a reasonable expectation of success. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to technical manuals. When using this phrase, ensure that the reference of "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. While it's suitable for many situations, remember to adjust the level of certainty conveyed based on the context and the likelihood of success; consider alternatives like "that might work" when uncertainty is high.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that ought to function

Replaces "should" with "ought to", implying a slightly stronger sense of obligation or expectation.

that is likely to succeed

Substitutes the modal verb construction with a phrase expressing probability of success.

that will probably be effective

Replaces "should work" with a more explicit statement of effectiveness, adding the adverb "probably".

that is expected to be successful

Similar to "likely to succeed" but emphasizes expectation rather than likelihood.

that has a good chance of working

Focuses on the probability of a positive outcome, using "good chance" to convey likelihood.

that promises to be fruitful

Emphasizes the potential for a beneficial outcome or result.

that seems promising

Shifts the focus to the apparent potential or likelihood of success.

that holds potential

Highlights the inherent capability for a positive outcome.

that is worth trying

Suggests that the action is advisable or sensible due to its potential benefits.

that could prove useful

Indicates that the subject has the possibility of being beneficial or helpful in the future.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that should work" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "that is likely to be effective", "that is expected to succeed", or "that ought to function".

Is "that should work" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "that should work" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives depending on the discipline.

What does "that" refer to in the phrase "that should work"?

"That" refers to a previously mentioned plan, strategy, method, or idea. Ensure the antecedent is clear to avoid confusion.

What are some alternatives to "that should work" that indicate a lower degree of certainty?

Alternatives that express less certainty include "that might work", "that could work", or "that may work".