working satisfactorily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working satisfactorily" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could say: "The new software update is working satisfactorily and is expected to be ready for release in the next few days."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But where was the study of the mind when it was working satisfactorily?

The New Yorker

Attempts to tackle the high numbers of women abandoning the law were "not working satisfactorily", said Alistair MacDonald QC.

The Guardian

There is simply no basis from the Maria Miller case to consider whether or not the committee is working satisfactorily".

Independent

Mr Brennan insisted that the government was right to retain the law "in the absence of evidence it is not working satisfactorily".

The Guardian

Just as troubling, a series of "expert" evaluations (pdf) undertaken at the EU's behest concludes that the system is working satisfactorily, when there is ample evidence that is not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simulation results suggest that proposed scheme is working satisfactorily.

Chaos, Solitons & Fractals

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

On the whole they worked satisfactorily.

The New York Times - Arts

Only the last of these encounters works satisfactorily.

The Guardian - Books

The minimum operating condition requires only about 1.7 milliamperes, so that the relay can be worked satisfactorily at lower voltage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In addition, provincial leaders viewed inefficiency and corruption as "London" problems and believed that the constabulary system worked satisfactorily in their areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Deeper than this, there has long been a feeling in Italy that the project of national unity was flawed from the start, and will never work satisfactorily — that the country's government will always be stalled, and the south forever the unmanageable territory of organized crime.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "working satisfactorily" to convey that it is functioning as intended and meeting the required standards.

Common error

While "working satisfactorily" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "operating effectively" or "performing well" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working satisfactorily" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifically describing how something is performing or operating. It indicates that a certain level of performance or function is being met, based on evidence found with Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working satisfactorily" is used to describe a process, system, or even a person’s performance in a way that it meets the required expectation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct, with evidence found in scientific papers, news articles and encyclopedias. Although "working satisfactorily" is good for conveying the meaning in a clear and concise manner, it's important to consider the various available alternatives such as "operating effectively" and "performing well" to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing well

Emphasizes the level of achievement and success in the work.

operating effectively

Highlights the efficiency and impact of the work being done.

running smoothly

Indicates a lack of problems or interruptions in the process.

achieving desired outcomes

Focuses on the successful accomplishment of specific goals.

functioning adequately

Focuses on the basic level of operation being sufficient, implying a less positive assessment.

serving its purpose

Indicates that the work is fulfilling its intended function.

meeting expectations

Highlights that the work fulfills the required standards.

delivering results

Focuses on the tangible outcomes and accomplishments of the work.

producing acceptable results

Emphasizes that the output is good enough, although maybe not excellent.

doing a good job

A more informal way to express satisfactory performance.

FAQs

How can I use "working satisfactorily" in a sentence?

You can use "working satisfactorily" to describe a system, process, or individual performance. For example, "The new software is "operating effectively", and we can say it's "working satisfactorily".".

What are some alternatives to "working satisfactorily"?

Alternatives include "functioning adequately", "performing well", "operating effectively", or "running smoothly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "working satisfactorily" formal or informal?

"Working satisfactorily" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional and technical writing, but it can also be used in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "working satisfactorily" and "working perfectly"?

"Working satisfactorily" implies that something is meeting the minimum requirements or expectations, while "working perfectly" suggests that it's functioning without any flaws. If something is working without any flaws is "flawless operation".