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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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well working

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"well working" is not an idiomatic phrase in written English.
The phrase you are looking for is "well-functioning". You would use it to refer to an object or system that is working properly. Example sentence: This car has a well-functioning engine.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I think he's playing well, working hard for the team.

It is likely that these gonzo proclivities will serve him well, working with Colbert.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"I don't do well working with a board of directors that are not educators," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

That this tiger leapt on Mr. Tharu was a sign that the Khata corridor was, well, working.

Martin, 24, the top pick in 2000, has plenty to prove as well, working out nearly every day since August.

Interviewed this week by ESPN, Mourning said he was doing "extremely well," working out, though not to play ball.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

DNA was purified from each sample and quantified, and pools of eight samples were prepared into bar-coded 96-well working plates using a QIAGEN BioRobot 3000 (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany).

One line to tell you I am well - working - happy tho' tired - I am getting on all right and am learning lots each day.

News & Media

The Guardian

Yet it's far more harmful for the infected – namely, entrepreneurs and VCs who should spend less time networking and more time actually, wellworking.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Factors influencing the success of the plots were modelled to obtain information on how to design a well-working agri-environment scheme (AES).

In this paper a basic simple circuit for MPPT execution of a close planetary system is proposed which is well-working in all meteorological conditions and has an altered recurrence.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific or technical contexts where precision is critical, replace "well working" with clearer alternatives like "operating correctly" or "performing efficiently".

Common error

Avoid using "well working" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. This phrase is often considered non-idiomatic. Opt for more precise and accepted alternatives like "well-functioning" or "operating effectively".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well working" functions as an adjective-verb phrase, attempting to describe the state or condition of something in operation. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not idiomatic in standard written English. It tries to define an element as performing in an acceptable or efficient way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "well working" is used across diverse contexts, it is generally considered non-idiomatic in standard written English. Ludwig AI suggests that the term you are looking for is "well-functioning", which is more precise and grammatically sound. The phrase's function is typically to describe an element that performs acceptably or efficiently. You'll find it used in Science, News and Media and Wiki. For improved clarity and precision, especially in formal or technical writing, it's best to consider alternatives like "well functioning", "effectively functioning" or "properly operating".

FAQs

Is "well working" grammatically correct in English?

While "well working" is sometimes used, it is generally considered non-idiomatic. Alternatives like /s/well+functioning, /s/effectively+working, or /s/properly+operating are usually preferred for better grammatical correctness.

What are some alternatives to "well working" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as /s/effectively+functioning, /s/properly+operating, or /s/in+good+working+order. The best choice will depend on the specific meaning you want to convey.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when I'm tempted to use "well working"?

Focus on being specific about the aspect of functionality you want to highlight. For instance, use "efficiently running" if you want to emphasize efficiency, or "operating smoothly" if you want to emphasize the lack of problems.

What is the difference between "well working" and "well-functioning"?

"Well-functioning" is a more widely accepted and idiomatic way to describe something that is working properly. While "well working" might be understood, it's often seen as less polished. Therefore use /s/well+functioning instead of "well working".

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Most frequent sentences: