worked its way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked its way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual or persistent movement or progress through a process or situation. Example: "The rumor worked its way through the office, eventually reaching everyone by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like the crested-feather mutation, it worked its way into each of the short-legged breeds.

The New York Times - Science

The view from the train as it worked its way east from Moscow to Yekaterinburg.

The New York Times - Sports

It worked its way in subconsciously.

Vice

It worked its way into the music community and then expanded all over from there".

Vice

Unsurprisingly, it has worked its way through the food chain.

The Economist

"It gradually worked its way out," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

A week later it had worked its way into an artists' storyboard.

Los Angeles Times

But it hasn't worked its way into the economy.

Forbes

It's just worked its way into my comics.

Vice

"My sense is that it's not fully worked its way out of the system".

The New York Times

It crossed the control line and worked its way to the test line.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worked its way" to illustrate a gradual or indirect process. It is appropriate when describing how something spreads, influences, or progresses over time without direct intervention or immediate impact.

Common error

While versatile, "worked its way" can sound informal in academic or business contexts. Opt for more precise verbs like "penetrated", "diffused", or "progressed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked its way" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual process or progression. It suggests that something has advanced or spread over time, often overcoming obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worked its way" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a gradual or indirect process of progression, influence, or spread. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the formality of the setting and choose more precise alternatives in highly professional or academic writing. Remember to use it when you want to illustrate how something slowly or subtly achieved its current state, but do consider options like "made its way" or "progressed through" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made its way

Emphasizes the act of progressing or advancing, often physically.

found its path

Highlights the discovery of a route or method, suggesting a more deliberate journey.

progressed through

Stresses the sequential nature of advancement, focusing on stages or steps.

filtered through

Suggests a process of refinement or gradual penetration, often implying separation or purification.

percolated into

Implies a slow, widespread diffusion or influence, often related to ideas or information.

maneuvered through

Focuses on skillful navigation around obstacles or challenges.

infiltrated into

Highlights a subtle or covert entry, often with the intent to influence or alter.

penetrated into

Emphasizes a strong or forceful entry, overcoming resistance or barriers.

established itself

Focuses on achieving recognition or acceptance, often through persistence or effort.

gained traction

Implies increasing momentum or support, suggesting growing influence or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "worked its way" in a sentence?

Use "worked its way" to describe a gradual process, like "The idea "worked its way" into the mainstream" or "The water "worked its way" through the cracks."

What are some alternatives to "worked its way"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "made its way", "progressed through", or "filtered through" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "worked its way" formal or informal?

"Worked its way" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In formal writing, consider more precise or sophisticated alternatives depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "worked its way" and "made its way"?

While similar, "worked its way" implies more effort or gradual progress than "made its way". "Worked" suggests overcoming obstacles or a more involved process.