that works

USAGE SUMMARY

'that works' is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it when you want to confirm that a plan or method is effective. For example: "Let's try that plan - if it doesn't work, we'll come up with something else. Is everyone OK with that? Great, let's see if that works!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

That works.

The New York Times

Expanding opportunity - that works".

Independent

Funny how that works.

The New York Times

"That works, too".

The New York Times - Sports

That works both ways.

The New York Times - Sports

That works for George.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"That worked".

The New York Times

Would that work?

The New York Times

And does that work?

The New York Times

How did that work?

The New York Times

That work has ceased.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that works" to confirm agreement or acceptance of a proposed plan or solution. It conveys a sense of practicality and readiness to proceed.

Common error

Avoid using "that works" in highly formal settings where more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for alternatives like "that is acceptable" or "that is satisfactory" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that works" primarily functions as an affirmative response, indicating agreement, acceptance, or acknowledgment that a plan or suggestion is satisfactory or effective. Ludwig's examples illustrate its versatility in various conversational and written contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that works" is a commonly used phrase to express agreement, acceptance, or confirmation of a plan's viability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting into various contexts from news articles to everyday conversations. While generally neutral, it leans towards informal, so users should consider the setting and opt for more formal alternatives like "that is effective" or "that is acceptable" in professional or highly formal situations. The phrase's communicative purpose is to convey approval and signal a go-ahead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is effective

Focuses on the effectiveness of something.

that is suitable

Emphasizes the appropriateness of something for a specific purpose.

that is acceptable

Highlights the permissibility or satisfactory nature of something.

that is agreeable

Indicates mutual consent or willingness.

that is all right

Suggests something is satisfactory or adequate.

that suffices

Implies that something is enough or meets the required needs.

that holds true

Indicates something remains valid or correct.

that passes muster

Suggests something meets a required standard or level of approval.

that cuts it

Informal way of saying something is adequate or acceptable.

that gets the job done

Focuses on the accomplishment of a task, even if not perfectly.

FAQs

How can I use "that works" in a sentence?

You can use "that works" to express agreement or acceptance of a plan or suggestion. For example, "If we combine both strategies, "that works" for me."

What are some alternatives to "that works"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "that is effective", "that is suitable", or "that is acceptable".

Is "that works" too informal for professional communication?

"That works" is generally acceptable in professional communication, but consider the audience. In highly formal settings, alternatives like "that is satisfactory" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "that works" and "that will work"?

"That works" implies current acceptance or agreement, while "that will work" expresses a prediction or belief about future effectiveness. For example, "I think "that will work" if we implement it correctly."