to work completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to work completely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or process that is done in its entirety or thoroughly. Example: "In order for the project to be successful, all components need to work completely without any issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Nothing has been proven to work completely, or for how long.

The New York Times

Aghast, they stood and watched Grigorescu, who continued to work completely unaware of their presence.

The Guardian - Books

His remarks came a day after he had said that not every layer of a system had to work completely in order for it to have some effect.

The New York Times

An aide says that a "high-profile investigation not a show trial, of course" of a rich and prominent relation of the president's is possible.Even this is unlikely to work completely.

The Economist

But if "Teacher" lacks the scope of a real intellectual autobiography and is too driven by a single idea to work completely as a memoir, it's still a book that feels alive in essential ways.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm probably the only black woman here," I'll think, and suddenly the whole place feels like an anxiety dream in which I turn up to work completely naked and call my boss "Mum".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

From time to time, choose people to meet with who work completely outside of your world.

Huffington Post

This is a far cry from what most people will need to truly retire, at least if they hope to quit working completely.

Huffington Post

It didn't work completely.

The New York Times

"I work completely alone," he insisted.

The New Yorker

Work completely lapses from his consciousness.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the desired outcome of a process, use "to work completely" to emphasize that all aspects should function as intended, leaving no room for error or partial success. For example: "The security system needs "to work completely" to protect the building from any potential threats."

Common error

Avoid using "to work completely" in casual conversation where simpler phrases like "to function well" or "to operate correctly" are more appropriate. This ensures your language aligns with the register of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to work completely" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe how something needs to function. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to work completely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase that stresses the need for a system or process to function thoroughly and without any failures. Ludwig confirms that "to work completely" is usable in written English. It is appropriate for a range of contexts, including news, science, and general writing, but should be used cautiously in very informal settings. Related phrases such as "to function perfectly" and "to operate fully" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. When writing, it's important to consider the context to ensure the register is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to function perfectly

Emphasizes the flawless operation of something.

to operate fully

Highlights the full extent of operational capability.

to perform flawlessly

Focuses on the error-free execution of a task.

to run smoothly

Suggests an absence of problems or interruptions during operation.

to be fully effective

Highlights the achievement of the desired outcome or impact.

to be entirely successful

Emphasizes the complete achievement of a goal or objective.

to achieve full functionality

Focuses on reaching a state of complete operational capacity.

to realize its full potential

Highlights the development and utilization of all capabilities.

to execute perfectly

Focuses on the precise and accurate completion of a process.

to deliver optimal results

Emphasizes the attainment of the best possible outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "to work completely" in a sentence?

You can use "to work completely" to describe a system, method, or plan that needs to function without any failures. For instance, "For the experiment to be valid, the control group needs "to work completely" as expected".

What are some alternatives to "to work completely"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "to function perfectly", "to operate fully", or "to perform flawlessly".

Is it better to say "work completely" or "completely work"?

The phrase "to work completely" is generally preferred because the adverb "completely" modifies the verb "to work". The alternative word order, "completely work", may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.

What's the nuance between "to work completely" and "to work effectively"?

"To work completely" emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the operation, ensuring all components function as intended. "To work effectively", on the other hand, stresses the achievement of the desired outcome, even if not every single component is working to its maximum potential.