work as designed

USAGE SUMMARY

"work as designed" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that something is functioning as it should be, i.e. as it was designed to operate. For example, "The new software update worked as designed, and all of the bugs have been fixed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

There are questions about whether the efficiency efforts will work as designed.

The New York Times

"Today's announcement starts a testing process, which will demonstrate whether the proposed fix will work as designed".

The New York Times

"This comprehensive series of tests will show us whether the proposed battery improvements will work as designed," said Ray LaHood, the transportation secretary.

The New York Times

As he aims the quarter-million-dollar convertible toward a small turnout some distance ahead, I'm hoping the carbon-ceramic brakes will work as designed.

The New York Times

Dr. Balkus said the next step would be to put the nanoparticles into cells and see if they work as designed.

The New York Times - Science

The plant's safety analysis, completed before licensing, relies on plant diagrams, so discrepancies between the blueprint and the plant itself can mean that the safety systems will not work as designed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

His artwork has been exhibited at MoMA and the Pompidou Centre, and he describes his work as designing systems that explain the human world through computer science, visual art, and anthropology.

Independent

And so they did, from about 15,000 feet, as their explosive ejection seats worked as designed.

The New York Times

Mr Chun said the workers wear protective clothing and that an air monitor worked as designed.

The Guardian

Eric Rabe, a Verizon vice president for media relations, said the 911 system the company supplies to New York City worked as designed.

The New York Times

"The collision avoidance system worked as designed and the two aircraft were never in serious conflict," Mr. Brenner said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the successful operation of a system or component, use "work as designed" to convey that it is functioning according to its intended purpose and specifications.

Common error

Avoid using "work as designed" when the intended design or functionality is unclear. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about what the system was designed to do for the phrase to be meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work as designed" functions as a predicate in sentences, describing how a system, component, or process operates. It indicates that something is functioning according to its intended specifications. Ludwig's AI considers this to be perfectly correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "work as designed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something is functioning according to its intended specifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media and scientific contexts, this phrase serves to assure, inform, or confirm the proper operation of a system or process. While its register is generally neutral to professional, careful attention should be paid to clarity in usage, ensuring the context provides sufficient information about the intended design.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

function as intended

Emphasizes the intended functionality rather than the design.

operate as expected

Focuses on the expected behavior or outcome.

perform as specified

Highlights adherence to specific performance criteria.

run according to plan

Implies a planned process is executing correctly.

behave as programmed

Suitable for systems with programmable behavior.

deliver the promised result

Stresses the fulfillment of a promised outcome.

meet design specifications

Highlights conformity with technical design requirements.

work correctly

A simpler, more general way of saying it functions properly.

function properly

A simpler, more general way of saying it functions well.

operate effectively

Focuses on the effectiveness of the operation.

FAQs

How can I use "work as designed" in a sentence?

You can use "work as designed" to describe something that is functioning according to its intended specifications. For example, "The safety mechanism "worked as designed" during the emergency shutdown."

What's a good alternative to "work as designed"?

Alternatives to "work as designed" include "function as intended", "operate as expected", or "perform as specified". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "worked as designed" instead of "work as designed"?

Yes, both are correct. "Work as designed" is in the present tense, while ""worked as designed"" is in the past tense. Use the past tense when referring to a specific instance in the past.

What is the difference between "work as designed" and "work as intended"?

While similar, "work as designed" emphasizes adherence to the original design specifications, whereas "work as intended" focuses on achieving the desired outcome, regardless of whether it strictly follows the initial design.