worked as intended

USAGE SUMMARY

"worked as intended" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is functioning as it is supposed to. For example: "The technology worked as intended, and the project finished ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It worked as intended.

The New York Times

Perhaps the burial worked as intended.

The New York Times - Sports

But the law hasn't worked as intended.

The New York Times

Not all of Mr. Kaufman's innovations worked as intended.

The New York Times

This reversal is effectively an acknowledgment that the agency hasn't worked as intended.

The New York Times

Even when AltSchool's methods worked as intended, there were sometimes questionable results.

The New Yorker

If the system had worked as intended in the 2009 election, the Bundestag would have had 598 members.

The Economist

It is not clear that the proposal would have worked as intended, but at least it made holistic sense.

The New Yorker

She would allow anyone from the public to test six machines to ensure they worked as intended.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is working as intended.

The New York Times

Never mind that even these did not work as intended.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worked as intended" to clearly state that a process, system, or plan achieved its expected outcome, enhancing the clarity and conciseness of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "worked as intended" in situations where the intended outcome was not clearly defined or is open to interpretation. Ensure the success is objectively verifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked as intended" functions primarily as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state or result of an action or process. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase clarifies that a specific goal or expectation was met, confirming its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worked as intended" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates the successful achievement of a planned outcome. As Ludwig shows, it appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts, maintaining a generally neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability, emphasizing its role in clearly stating that expectations were met. When using the phrase, ensure that the intended outcome is well-defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functioned as designed

Focuses on the design aspect of the intended outcome.

operated according to plan

Emphasizes the planned sequence of actions and their successful execution.

performed as expected

Highlights the anticipation of a specific level of performance.

achieved the desired result

Focuses on the accomplishment of a specific outcome.

fulfilled its purpose

Stresses the completion of the intended objective.

yielded the anticipated outcome

Highlights the production of the expected result.

met the specifications

Emphasizes adherence to a set of predefined criteria.

realized the planned objective

Focuses on the attainment of a strategic goal.

delivered the promised effect

Highlights the fulfillment of an anticipated outcome.

succeeded in its objective

Emphasizes the attainment of a specific target.

FAQs

How can I use "worked as intended" in a sentence?

You can use "worked as intended" to describe a situation where something functioned as it was designed to. For example, "The safety mechanism "worked as intended", preventing any injuries during the experiment."

What's a simpler way to say "worked as intended"?

Alternatives include "functioned as designed", "operated correctly", or "was successful", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "worked as intended" in formal writing?

Yes, "worked as intended" is suitable for both formal and informal writing when describing the successful execution of a plan or design. However, ensure that the context is clear and unambiguous.

What's the difference between "worked as intended" and "worked perfectly"?

"Worked perfectly" implies flawless execution, whereas ""worked as intended"" simply means that the expected outcome was achieved, even if there were minor imperfections.