work properly

USAGE SUMMARY

"work properly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a task or an object that is expected to function according to its intended purpose. Example sentence: "It's important to check the machine periodically to make sure it's working properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The country would work properly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Your brain doesn't work properly.

The Guardian - Music

Isaac Luke's brain doesn't work properly.

The Guardian - Sport

Our auto-refresh does not work properly.

The Guardian - Sport

But only if politicians allow it to work properly.

The Economist

Things that don't work properly, or are unnecessarily complicated.

The New York Times - Arts

Get the number wrong, and things will not work properly.

The Economist

"The police was entirely confused and could not work properly".

The New York Times

It must be updated and clarified to work properly.

The Economist

If a hospital doesn't work properly, they sort it out.

The Guardian

The telephones in the press centres did not work properly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process, ensure you clearly define what "working properly" means in that specific context.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "the software doesn't "work properly"". Instead, specify the exact malfunction or deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work properly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a state is maintained. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work properly" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something functioning as intended. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific literature and general discussions. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier and is versatile, with synonyms like "function correctly" and "operate effectively" providing alternative options. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to specify the nature of the malfunction when something doesn't "work properly" to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

function correctly

Emphasizes accuracy and precision in operation rather than general effectiveness.

operate effectively

Focuses on the efficiency and impact of the operation.

perform adequately

Suggests a level of performance that meets the minimum requirements.

run smoothly

Implies an absence of problems or interruptions during operation.

be in good working order

Highlights the state or condition of being functional and ready for use.

behave as expected

Focuses on conforming to anticipated behavior or standards.

deliver the desired results

Emphasizes the achievement of specific outcomes.

serve its intended purpose

Highlights the fulfillment of a specific function or goal.

do its job

A more informal way of saying something is fulfilling its function.

fulfill its requirements

Highlights meeting necessary conditions or specifications.

FAQs

How can I use "work properly" in a sentence?

You can use "work properly" to describe anything that functions as intended. For example, "The new software should "work properly" after the update."

What is a synonym for "work properly"?

Alternatives to "work properly" include "function correctly", "operate effectively", or "perform adequately", depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate, "work properly" or "work correctly"?

"Work properly" and "work correctly" are often interchangeable. However, "work properly" suggests functionality is satisfactory, while "work correctly" emphasizes accuracy.

What does it mean when something doesn't "work properly"?

If something doesn't ""work properly"", it means it is not functioning as intended, possibly due to a malfunction, error, or defect.