work things out

USAGE SUMMARY

"work things out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two or more people are working to resolve a conflict or problem. Example: My parents and I are trying to work things out after our argument last week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You try to work things out".

The New York Times - Sports

Let them work things out according to their religion.

The New Yorker

Through general reasonableness we've been able to work things out".

The New York Times - Travel

It's incumbent upon us to work things out".

The New York Times

It's when I work things out and get ideas.

The Guardian - Film

Now I work things out for myself through song writing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Even if the Taliban return to power our elders can work things out with them.

Independent

Let's hope the airline and the pilots can work things out, too.

The Economist

Other golfers, and this is a big group, like to work things out for themselves.

The New York Times

I wish we could all just take a chill pill and work things out with kindness.

The New York Times

"We're small-town folks, we usually just work things out," McKenzie said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work things out", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is involved in the process of resolving the issue. For example, "The team needs to work things out before the deadline."

Common error

Be specific about what "things" need to be worked out. Instead of saying "We need to work things out", clarify the exact issues or problems that require resolution. This prevents misunderstandings and promotes effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work things out" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the process of resolving problems, conflicts, or disagreements. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples show its widespread use in diverse contexts, from personal relationships to international diplomacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

32%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work things out" is a common and versatile idiom used to describe the process of resolving problems, conflicts, or disagreements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. With a neutral register, it's appropriate for various contexts, from personal relationships to professional settings. The phrase is very frequent, particularly in news and media and Wiki sources. For clarity, it's best to specify what "things" need resolution. Related phrases include "resolve a problem" and "settle differences". Overall, "work things out" is a reliable way to communicate the effort and hope associated with finding solutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settle differences

Highlights the act of reconciling opposing viewpoints or disagreements between parties.

find a solution

Highlights the process of discovering or creating a way to overcome a challenge.

reconcile differences

Implies restoring harmonious relationships after a conflict or disagreement.

resolve a problem

Focuses specifically on addressing and solving an existing problem or issue.

straighten things out

Suggests correcting errors or resolving misunderstandings to restore order.

iron out the difficulties

Suggests smoothing over or eliminating problems to achieve a smoother outcome.

sort out the details

Emphasizes clarifying and organizing specific elements or aspects of a situation.

fix the situation

Focuses on repairing or improving a problematic circumstance or predicament.

reach an agreement

Focuses on the successful outcome of negotiations, where all parties find common ground.

come to terms

Implies accepting a situation, often after a period of struggle or negotiation.

FAQs

How can I use "work things out" in a sentence?

You can use "work things out" to describe the process of resolving a problem or conflict, such as: "They are trying to "resolve the issue" and "find a solution" to "work things out"." or "If we "communicate effectively", we can "sort out the problem" and "work things out"."

What does "work things out" mean?

"Work things out" means to resolve a problem, come to an agreement, or find a solution through discussion or effort. It often implies resolving disagreements or misunderstandings.

What are some alternatives to "work things out"?

Alternatives to "work things out" include "resolve a problem", "settle differences", "find a solution", or "sort out the details", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "work things out" or "work something out"?

Both "work things out" and "work something out" are grammatically correct and commonly used. "Work things out" is generally used when referring to resolving a situation or relationship, while "work something out" is used when finding a solution to a specific problem or plan.