will not work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'will not work' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to express a state of impossibility or failure. For example, "I tried to fix the leak, but the sealant will not work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will not work now.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it will not work.

The Economist

But that will not work.

The Economist

And that will not work.

The New York Times

It will not work.

The Guardian

Violence will not work".

The New York Times

Plan will not work.

The New Yorker

But this approach will not work everywhere.

The Economist

Military intervention now will not work.

The New York Times

So this intimidation will not work".

The New York Times

And if ratified, it will not work".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will not work", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expected to fail and why. Provide specific reasons or conditions for the anticipated failure to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "will not work" without specifying the limitations or conditions. Be precise about what aspect is expected to fail to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will not work" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a future state of ineffectiveness or impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across varied contexts. This phrase essentially predicts failure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will not work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something is unlikely to succeed or function as intended. Ludwig AI affirms that this phrase is acceptable in various settings, though it may be best suited for neutral or informal contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context on why the failure is anticipated. Consider more formal alternatives like "will be ineffective" or "will prove unsuccessful" in professional settings. With usage spanning from news articles to how-to guides, this phrase remains a practical tool for expressing doubts about future outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not going to function

Focuses on the inability to perform its intended purpose.

won't be effective

Highlights a lack of desired results or impact.

is bound to fail

Emphasizes the certainty of failure, highlighting a predetermined outcome.

has no chance of success

States a clear absence of opportunity for a positive result.

is doomed to failure

Suggests an unavoidable and often unfortunate end.

is set to malfunction

Concentrates on the idea of incorrect performance.

is destined to collapse

Implies a future breakdown or failure, often in a more dramatic sense.

cannot be relied upon

Focuses on the lack of dependability or trustworthiness.

is sure to backfire

Highlights the potential for unintended negative consequences.

is certain to fall through

Indicates the unlikelihood of success or completion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "will not work" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "will be ineffective", "will prove unsuccessful", or "will not be viable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's a more casual way to say "will not work"?

For a more casual tone, you could use phrases like "won't cut it", "isn't gonna fly", or simply "won't work".

How to use "will not work" in a sentence?

The phrase "will not work" is used to express that something is not going to be effective or successful. For example, "This strategy will not work if we don't have enough resources."

What's the difference between "will not work" and "does not work"?

"Will not work" typically refers to a future or anticipated failure, while "does not work" refers to a present or current state of ineffectiveness. For example, "This plan will not work if we proceed without a backup" versus "This device does not work; it's broken."