that won't work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that won't work" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express doubt or disbelief in the effectiveness or feasibility of an idea, plan, or solution. Example: Tom presented his proposal to the team, but Sarah replied, "I'm sorry, but I don't think that will work for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the N.F.L., that won't work".

The New York Times - Sports

No, that won't work either.

The Guardian

Little Band-Aids that won't work either.

The New York Times

"We can't waste time waiting for legislation that won't work".

The New York Times

It's an absolutely ridiculous idea that won't work".

Independent

I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work".

The Economist

I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work".

The Guardian - Opinion

I have just found ten thousand ways that won't work".

The New York Times

However, it is a victory that won't work out well unless there is unconditional surrender.

The New Yorker

But wait, that won't work, right?

TechCrunch

"But Labour's plan is a promise that won't work.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that won't work" to succinctly express doubt about a plan's viability, especially when explaining why an alternative approach is needed.

Common error

While "that won't work" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal documents. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that is unlikely to succeed" or "that approach is not viable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that won't work" functions as a declarative statement expressing an opinion or judgment about the ineffectiveness or infeasibility of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. It predicates that a specific action or plan will not produce the desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

19%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that won't work" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing doubt about the feasibility or effectiveness of a plan or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in various contexts. While common across news, media, and general discourse, more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional or academic settings. When writing, remember that while concise, the phrase should be wielded with consideration for the formality of your writing and the expectations of your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is not going to succeed

Focuses on the lack of success, emphasizing future outcome.

that's not feasible

Highlights the impracticality or lack of viability.

that's unachievable

Stresses the impossibility of reaching a desired goal.

that's bound to fail

Emphasizes the inevitability of failure or negative result.

that is a dead end

Implies a lack of progress or potential.

that's a non-starter

Indicates something that is unlikely to begin or progress.

that's not a viable option

Focuses on the unsuitability or impracticality of the choice.

that plan is doomed

Emphasizes a negative and irreversible outcome.

that isn't a solution

Highlights that the given action won't resolve the problem.

that approach is ineffective

Stresses the inefficiency of a method or strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "that won't work" in a sentence?

You can use "that won't work" to express doubt or disbelief in the effectiveness of an idea, plan, or solution. For example, "I tried to fix the car myself, but I realized "that won't work", so I called a mechanic."

What's a more formal way to say "that won't work"?

In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "that is not feasible", "that is unlikely to succeed", or "that approach is not viable". These phrases convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that won't work"?

Yes, "that won't work" is grammatically correct and widely used in both spoken and written English. It's a common and acceptable way to express that something is unlikely to be effective or successful.

Which is correct, "that won't work" or "that will not work"?

Both "that won't work" and "that will not work" are grammatically correct, but "that won't work" is more common in everyday conversation and informal writing. "That will not work" is slightly more formal but conveys the same meaning.