works as designed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "works as designed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something is functioning the way it was originally intended to function. For example: "The new software update works as designed, finally resolving the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The mission length is listed as 11 days, but managers plan to extend it to 14 days if a new system that allows the shuttle to plug into the space station's power system works as designed.

The New York Times

A test could make sense late in the development of an engineering system when design and development have proceeded far enough that it could be useful to test whether some part of the system works as designed.

Harvard University

Now, even when it works as designed, it's a virtual nightmare — and, occasionally, an actual one.

The New York Times - Tech

Since that crack appeared, everything else has been fine and the screen works as designed.

The Guardian - Tech

Even if the scheme works as designed, it may not be big enough to fix the problems.

The Economist

Even when the shuttle's thermal protection system works as designed, the study says, "different parts expand differently," creating internal tensions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

And so they did, from about 15,000 feet, as their explosive ejection seats worked as designed.

The New York Times

Mr Chun said the workers wear protective clothing and that an air monitor worked as designed.

The Guardian

There are questions about whether the efficiency efforts will work as designed.

The New York Times

In the absence of testing, computer simulations help determine whether nuclear weapons work as designed.

The New York Times

"Today's announcement starts a testing process, which will demonstrate whether the proposed fix will work as designed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "works as designed" when you want to emphasize that a system, product, or process is functioning according to its intended specifications or original plan. It's useful for confirming successful implementation or troubleshooting issues.

Common error

Avoid using "works as designed" as a generic statement without providing specific details about what aspects are functioning correctly. Always ensure the context clearly indicates what "design" is being referred to for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "works as designed" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject is performing its intended function according to its specifications. It serves to affirm functionality and adherence to design parameters, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "works as designed" is a versatile phrase used to confirm that something is functioning according to its specifications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, particularly in technical and objective contexts. It is widely used across news media, academia, and science. To enhance your writing, ensure clarity by specifying what "design" refers to. Alternatives include ""functions as intended"" or ""operates as expected"", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid vagueness by providing sufficient context and remember that precision enhances the impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functions as intended

Replaces "works" with "functions" and "designed" with "intended", slightly altering the wording while maintaining the core meaning.

operates as expected

Substitutes "works" with "operates" and "designed" with "expected", focusing on the operational aspect and anticipated outcome.

performs as specified

Uses "performs" instead of "works" and "specified" in place of "designed", emphasizing adherence to technical specifications.

meets design criteria

Emphasizes the fulfillment of predetermined design standards or requirements.

fulfills its purpose

Shifts the focus to the fulfillment of the intended purpose, rather than the specific design.

achieves its objectives

Highlights the attainment of predefined objectives or goals, rather than the design itself.

is operating effectively

Highlights the effective operation of something, suggesting it's achieving the desired results.

is functioning correctly

Focuses on the correct functionality of something, without explicitly mentioning the design.

is running smoothly

Indicates that something is operating without issues, implying it's working as intended.

is up to par

A more informal way of saying something is meeting expectations and functioning as it should.

FAQs

How can I use "works as designed" in a sentence?

You can use "works as designed" to indicate that something is functioning according to its specifications. For example, "The safety mechanism "works as designed", preventing any potential accidents".

What are some alternatives to "works as designed"?

Alternatives include "functions as intended", "operates as expected", or "performs as specified". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "works as designed" or "works as intended"?

Both "works as designed" and "works as intended" are grammatically correct. "Works as designed" emphasizes adherence to the original plan, while "works as intended" focuses on achieving the desired outcome.

What does it mean when something "works as designed"?

It means the item or system is functioning in the manner that the engineers or designers originally intended it to. There may be corner cases where the design is flawed and the outcome isn't what was desired, but the system is still "working as designed".