things worked out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things worked out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation has resolved positively or that problems have been successfully addressed. Example: "After a lot of hard work and planning, I’m happy to say that things worked out in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Luckily things worked out".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm glad how things worked out".

The New York Times

Things worked out after that".

The New York Times - Sports

But then, things worked out quite well.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's not how things worked out, however.

The New York Times

"That's just the way things worked out".

The New York Times - Sports

Things worked out for Mr. Rabin, however.

The New York Times - Books

But that's the way things worked out".

The New York Times - Sports

Things worked out just like Gil planned".

The New York Times - Sports

"Thankfully things worked out with John.

The Guardian - Sport

Things worked out quite well after that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things worked out" to express relief or satisfaction that a challenging situation ultimately had a positive resolution. For example, "After a difficult negotiation, things worked out for both parties involved."

Common error

Avoid using "things worked out" when a more precise description of the outcome is needed. For example, instead of saying "things worked out" after a scientific experiment, specify the results: "the hypothesis was confirmed" or "the data supported the theory".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things worked out" functions as a statement indicating a satisfactory resolution to a situation. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s a common expression used to convey a sense of relief or positive outcome after a period of uncertainty or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things worked out" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression in English to denote a positive resolution to a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appropriate in various contexts, although it tends to be more frequent in neutral to informal settings. The phrase's communicative purpose is to convey reassurance or satisfaction about an outcome. While "things worked out" enjoys widespread use, it's important to consider more specific alternatives like "everything turned out well" or "the situation resolved favorably" in contexts that demand greater precision. High-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian contribute to its credibility and frequent usage, reinforcing its place as a reliable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything turned out well

This alternative emphasizes the positive conclusion of a situation.

it all came together

This suggests that disparate elements combined to form a successful outcome.

the situation resolved favorably

This alternative highlights the positive resolution of a specific issue.

matters were resolved successfully

This alternative indicates a successful handling of issues or problems.

the pieces fell into place

This implies that events aligned to create a positive result.

order was restored

This is usually used in a situation that was initially disorganized or chaotic.

the problem was solved

This focuses on the resolution of a specific problem.

fate intervened

This implies a more philosophical framing, that events followed a course to successful resolution due to forces outside of anyone's active control.

we achieved the desired outcome

This alternative emphasizes the achievement of a specific goal.

it all fell into place

This alternative emphasizes a sense of things naturally aligning for a positive outcome.

FAQs

What does the phrase "things worked out" mean?

The phrase "things worked out" generally means that a situation, problem, or series of events ultimately resulted in a positive or satisfactory outcome, often after some challenges or uncertainty.

How can I use "things worked out" in a sentence?

You can use "things worked out" in sentences like: "Despite the initial setbacks, "things worked out" in the end", or "I was worried about the project, but thankfully "things worked out" well".

What can I say instead of "things worked out"?

You can use alternatives like "everything turned out well", "it all came together", or "the situation resolved favorably" depending on the context.

Is "things worked out" formal or informal?

"Things worked out" is generally considered informal or neutral. In more formal contexts, it might be better to use alternatives like "the matter was resolved successfully" or "the desired outcome was achieved".