this will not work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this will not work" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as: 1. As a statement of fact: "I'm sorry, but the machine is broken. This will not work until it is fixed." 2. As a prediction or warning: "You can try to convince him, but I have a feeling that this will not work." 3. As a response to a proposed solution or idea: "I think we should change our advertising strategy." "I'm not sure, I have a feeling that this will not work." 4. As a frustrated exclamation: "I've been trying to solve this math problem for hours, but I just can't figure it out. This will not work!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Tinkering with this will not work.

The New York Times

"This will not work," Habbari said.

The New Yorker

"This will not work,'' Habbari said.

The New Yorker

German foreign-policy pundits reckon this will not work.

The Economist

"This will not work!", was Dijsselbloem's opening line.

The Guardian

"Experience suggests this will not work," it said.

The Washington Post

This will not work in enterprise.

TechCrunch

This will not work.

Vice

This will not work in today's world.

Huffington Post

"I feel this will not work well for them.

Huffington Post

This Will Not Work Unless Democrats Can Connect With Voters.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this will not work", ensure the context is clear. Specify what "this" refers to so your audience understands the subject of ineffectiveness. For example, instead of just saying "This will not work", clarify with "This strategy will not work".

Common error

Avoid simply stating "this will not work" without suggesting a better solution or alternative approach. Offer constructive feedback to demonstrate problem-solving skills, not just criticism. For example, "This approach might not be effective; perhaps we should try ..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this will not work" functions primarily as a declarative statement expressing a negative prediction or assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules and communicates a belief or judgment about future outcomes, often indicating a lack of confidence in a particular approach or plan. Examples show it used both as a direct response and within broader arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

49%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this will not work" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a lack of confidence in a plan or method. As Ludwig AI confirms, its directness makes it suitable for various contexts, from neutral news reports to informal wikis. While broadly applicable, providing clear context and alternative solutions is crucial for effective communication. Ludwig's analysis further indicates the phrase functions as a declarative statement, aimed at expressing skepticism or redirecting efforts, and is most frequently encountered in Wiki and News & Media sources. Remember that many other alternatives such as "it's not going to work" or "it's a futile effort", can be used for expressing the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's not going to work

Rephrases the sentiment with a focus on the future and a sense of prediction about failure.

That won't be effective

Shifts the focus to effectiveness rather than mere functionality or operation.

It's bound to fail

Emphasizes the inevitability of failure.

It has no chance of success

Highlights the lack of opportunity for a positive outcome.

That's a dead end

Suggests that pursuing this path is fruitless and leads nowhere.

It is doomed to failure

Presents the outcome as predetermined and negative.

This is a recipe for disaster

Indicates that the current course of action will certainly result in a negative outcome.

It's not feasible

Focuses on the impracticality or unachievability of the plan or action.

It's a futile effort

Highlights the worthlessness of the effort being expended.

That's just not going to happen

Expresses strong disbelief or impossibility regarding a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "this will not work" in a sentence?

You can use "this will not work" to express that a particular plan, method, or idea is unlikely to succeed. For example, "I've tried everything, but I'm afraid "this will not work"".

What are some alternatives to saying "this will not work"?

You can use alternatives like "it's not going to work", "it's unlikely to succeed", or "it's a futile effort" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this will not work"?

It's appropriate to use "this will not work" when you have a well-reasoned basis for believing that a certain plan or action will fail. Be sure to offer constructive criticism and suggest possible alternatives.

What's the difference between "this will not work" and "this might not work"?

"This will not work" expresses a strong conviction that something is doomed to fail. "This might not work" expresses uncertainty and acknowledges a small possibility of success.