was not workable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not workable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, plan, or idea that is impractical or cannot be implemented successfully. Example: "The proposed solution was not workable due to budget constraints and lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Reasonable-cause testing was not workable".

The New York Times - Sports

"We needed to make something that was not workable better".

The New York Times

As lawmakers fought, payroll specialists told Congress on Monday that the two-month change in Social Security payroll tax rates envisioned in the Senate bill was not workable.

The New York Times

Language can only be tortured so far when it comes to policy amendments and the government is in danger of its intentions on reforms being too unreliable to take seriously.Indeed, Mr Clarke has introduced a new Sir Humphrey-ism into the lexicon, insisting that he had been "impressed" by proposals to shorten sentences, only to conclude that the scheme was not workable.

The Economist

Next week, Indonesia plans peace talks with rebel leaders in Geneva.] Ridhwan Karim, the government's chief negotiator, said in an interview that while independence was not workable, the government planned to offer Aceh increased autonomy that would give it a bigger share of the profits from its huge oil and gas supplies, as well as greater political and administrative control.

The New York Times

"Road access to the store site proved too difficult and expensive to resolve, the plan was not workable, so we did not submit an application".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But the layout wasn't workable for roommates.

The New York Times

What Freud was beginning to realize was that his tidy equating of the unconscious with unbridled instinct and of the conscious with morality wasn't workable.

The New Yorker

The pros were Marc and Ben — we decided they were learners and adapters and would realize the model wasn't workable fast enough to fix it — and an industry that was ripe for reinvention".

The New Yorker

[Their reforms] are not workable.

The Guardian

"The problem comes when it's not workable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not workable", ensure the context clearly explains why the subject was impractical. Providing specific reasons strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "was not workable" in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "was not feasible" or "was not practical" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not workable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is impractical or impossible to implement effectively. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to express the infeasibility of plans, ideas, or systems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not workable" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something impractical or impossible to implement. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's essential to consider synonyms like "was not feasible" or "was not practical" to avoid repetition and ensure clarity. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively use "was not workable" in your writing to convey the infeasibility of plans, ideas, or systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not feasible

Replaces "workable" with "feasible", indicating that something couldn't be done practically.

was not practical

Substitutes "workable" with "practical", suggesting an idea or plan couldn't be put into effect effectively.

was not viable

Replaces "workable" with "viable", implying something couldn't survive or succeed in practice.

was not achievable

Indicates a goal or outcome that couldn't be reached or attained.

was not realistic

Highlights that a plan or expectation didn't align with reality or existing constraints.

was not implementable

Focuses on the inability to put a plan or system into action.

was not sustainable

Suggests that something couldn't be maintained over the long term.

was not manageable

Indicates that a situation or task couldn't be controlled or handled effectively.

proved unworkable

Uses a different verb ("proved") to emphasize that something was tested and found to be not workable after some effort.

turned out to be impractical

Adds the element of discovery over time, indicating something was initially thought to be workable but later found not to be.

FAQs

How can I use "was not workable" in a sentence?

You can use "was not workable" to describe a plan, idea, or system that is impractical or impossible to implement successfully. For example, "The initial budget proposal "was not workable" due to unforeseen expenses".

What are some alternatives to "was not workable"?

Alternatives include "was not feasible", "was not practical", "was not viable", or "was not achievable". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was not workable" or "did not work"?

"Was not workable" implies that something was inherently flawed or impractical from the beginning. "Did not work" simply means something failed, without necessarily implying it was fundamentally flawed. Use "was not workable" when emphasizing inherent impracticality, and "did not work" for general failure.

What's the difference between "was not workable" and "was not feasible"?

"Was not workable" generally suggests that something couldn't be implemented or operated effectively in practice. "Was not feasible" often refers to whether something could be done within existing constraints like time, resources, or technology. While similar, "feasible" often considers resource limitations more explicitly.