was not working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something was malfunctioning or not functioning as intended in the past. Example: "The machine was not working properly, causing delays in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I was not working.

The New York Times

Unsurprisingly, this strategy was not working.

The New York Times

Maybe my brain was not working".

The New Yorker

The well-intended scheme was not working.

The Economist

Obama was not working in the I.R.S".

The New York Times

And it still was not working.

The New York Times - Sports

I was not working for myself.

Independent

The KGB was not working on Cameron".

Independent

The staff realized it was not working.

The New Yorker

Those days he was not working".

The Guardian

I was not working a lot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific system or process that isn't achieving its intended outcome, use "was not working" to clearly convey the failure. For example, "The new strategy was not working, so we reverted to the old one."

Common error

While "was not working" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "malfunctioning" or "ineffective" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

"Was not working" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past continuous negative form of the verb "work". This construction indicates that an action or process was not in operation or producing the desired result at some point in the past. Ludwig AI shows its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not working" serves as a versatile verb phrase, commonly employed to express that something failed to function correctly in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is sound, and it's widely utilized across diverse contexts, most notably in News & Media. While appropriate for both formal and informal communications, more precise alternatives may be preferable in technical writing. Common usage involves describing the failure of plans, systems, or devices, highlighting the need for corrective action. Remember to adapt the phrasing based on the desired level of formality and specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't work

A simpler, more informal way to express the same idea.

was out of order

A common expression indicating a temporary or correctable malfunction.

failed to function

Emphasizes the act of not working, highlighting a breakdown in the process.

was broken

A general term for being damaged or non-functional.

was inoperative

Focuses on the state of being non-functional, often used for machinery or systems.

wasn't effective

Focuses on the lack of desired outcome or impact.

ceased functioning

Suggests a complete and possibly permanent stop in operation.

malfunctioned

Specifically indicates a fault in the operation of a machine or system.

proved ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired results, rather than a complete failure to operate.

was unproductive

Suggests a failure to yield useful results, often in a work-related context.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was not working" is versatile and can be used to describe anything from a malfunctioning device to an ineffective strategy. For example: "The printer was not working, so I couldn't print the document" or "The marketing campaign was not working, so we decided to change our approach."

What are some alternatives to "was not working"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was inoperative", "failed to function", or "was out of order". These options provide slightly different nuances and levels of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was not working"?

Yes, "was not working" is grammatically correct. It's the past continuous negative form of the verb "work" and is used to describe something that was not functioning or operating in the past.

When should I use "was not working" versus "didn't work"?

"Was not working" often implies a continuous state or ongoing issue in the past, while "didn't work" suggests a singular event or attempt that failed. For example, "The air conditioner was not working all day" versus "I tried to fix it, but it didn't work".