this would not work

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'this would not work' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to express that something will not bring the desired result. For example: "I tried to restart by computer, but this would not work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But I knew that, long term, this would not work.

The Guardian

However, the bidding made it plain that this would not work.

The New York Times

But Couillard said this would not work: "There's no way it can be done in isolation.

The Guardian

Told this would not work, Kissinger gave orders that he wanted arms shipments secretly 'started again in January'.

The Guardian

Payment can be made by credit card, provided the seller has a PayPal account".If people were not inherently good and trustworthy, this would not work," says Simon Rothman, who runs eBay Motors.

The Economist

This would not work either, since to date several member states that already have facilities in place - and are making money from them - would block special treatment for the UK.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

I said she knew no architecture, this wouldn't work.

The New Yorker

"This wouldn't work with any other orchestra in the world," Spano said.

The New Yorker

As a veteran of interagency warfare under six presidents, I believe this wouldn't work.

The New York Times

"I imagine it would be difficult to find an agricultural system where this wouldn't work," Dr. Jedlicka said.

The New York Times

This wouldn't work for me; I never shop at any of the large chains on the list because I hate standing in line.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this would not work", ensure the context clearly explains why the proposed action is unfeasible or ineffective. Providing specific reasons strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "this would not work" without providing context or justification. Always explain the reasons behind the ineffectiveness to make your statement more persuasive and informative.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "this would not work" is to serve as a negative prediction or assessment. It expresses the speaker's belief that a particular action, plan, or method will not be successful or effective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this would not work" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that a plan or method is unlikely to succeed. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English for expressing the idea that something will not bring the desired result. Its neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, media, and scientific contexts make it versatile and reliable. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context and justification to support your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is not going to pan out

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome or success, using a more informal and idiomatic expression.

this isn't a viable option

Presents a more formal and objective assessment of the unsuitability of a particular choice.

this approach is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness of a specific method or strategy.

this is bound to fail

Highlights the certainty of failure, adding a sense of inevitability.

this is doomed to collapse

Indicates an impending and catastrophic failure, often used for systems or structures.

this is simply unfeasible

Stresses the impracticality of the idea or plan, indicating that it cannot be realistically implemented.

this has no chance of success

Directly states the impossibility of achieving a positive result.

this plan is destined for trouble

Suggests that the proposed course of action will inevitably lead to problems.

this is a dead end

Emphasizes the lack of further progress or development, indicating futility.

this will lead to a standstill

This emphasizes the lack of progress to come, creating a situation where action will not occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "this would not work" to express that a particular plan, method, or idea is unlikely to be successful or effective. For example: "I tried restarting the server, but "this would not work"."

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

Alternatives include "this is not a viable option", "this approach is ineffective", or "this is bound to fail", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this would not work"?

Yes, "this would not work" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and uses appropriate verb conjugation.

What is the difference between "this will not work" and "this would not work"?

"This will not work" expresses a future outcome with more certainty. "This would not work" expresses a more conditional or hypothetical assessment, often implying a reason or condition that prevents it from working. It suggests something that isn't going to happen under certain implied assumptions.