worked itself out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked itself out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that resolved itself without external intervention or effort. Example: "After a few weeks of tension, the misunderstanding between the colleagues eventually worked itself out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Something had worked itself out in my head.

The Guardian - Books

The official explanation: she had "a family situation that has worked itself out".

The New York Times

But, he said, "the problem seems to have worked itself out to some degree".

The New York Times

She witnesses the internal anguish of her two patients worked itself out in the lunatic setting of the occupied city.

The Economist

Everybody has completely overreacted to something that, down the road, probably would have worked itself out anyway".

The New York Times - Sports

"I wrote it, but never actually wrote it — it just kind of worked itself out," he said in an interview with the music magazine Kicks.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Everything will work itself out".

The New York Times - Sports

It will work itself out".

The Guardian - Sport

This will work itself out,' " he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It'll work itself out," Baker said.

The New York Times - Sports

And it'll work itself out".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worked itself out" when you want to convey that a situation resolved without direct intervention. This implies a natural or evolutionary process leading to a solution.

Common error

Avoid using "worked itself out" when a clear agent or cause led to the resolution. This phrase implies a lack of external influence, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked itself out" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that a situation or problem has resolved without direct intervention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and in line with standard English usage. Examples in Ludwig show it is used to describe situations ranging from interpersonal misunderstandings to technical glitches resolving on their own.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "worked itself out" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to describe the resolution of a situation without direct intervention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread acceptance. The phrase is appropriate for a range of contexts, from news reporting to everyday conversations. While it's suitable for most situations, it's important to consider the nuance of passive resolution and avoid using it when a clear agent or cause was responsible for the outcome. The most authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, frequently employ this phrase, underscoring its legitimacy and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved itself

Focuses on the resolution aspect, emphasizing that the issue found a solution on its own.

sorted itself out

Similar to 'resolved itself', but with a slightly more informal tone and implies a tidying up of the situation.

fell into place

Emphasizes the idea of things aligning correctly, often suggesting a positive outcome.

ironed itself out

Suggests that minor issues or inconsistencies were smoothed over time.

straightened itself out

Similar to 'ironed itself out', but can also imply a correction of something that was wrong or amiss.

came to a conclusion

More formal and emphasizes the ending or resolution of a matter.

reached a resolution

Similar to 'came to a conclusion', but highlights the achievement of a resolution.

settled itself

Implies a calming or stabilizing effect after a period of unrest or uncertainty.

evolved naturally

Highlights the gradual and organic process of resolving a situation.

unraveled itself

Suggests a complex or tangled situation becoming clear and resolved on its own.

FAQs

What does "worked itself out" mean?

The phrase "worked itself out" means that a problem or situation has resolved or improved without any specific intervention or effort from someone. It suggests a natural or automatic resolution.

What can I say instead of "worked itself out"?

You can use alternatives like "resolved itself", "sorted itself out", or "fell into place" depending on the context.

How to use "worked itself out" in a sentence?

You can say, "After a few weeks of tension, the misunderstanding between the colleagues eventually worked itself out." or "The initial problem with the software glitch eventually "resolved itself"."

Is "worked itself out" formal or informal?

"Worked itself out" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for most everyday conversations and writing, but might not be appropriate for highly formal or academic contexts, where "resolved itself" or "came to a conclusion" might be more fitting.