works fine

USAGE SUMMARY

"works fine" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are describing an item or process that functions properly. For example, "The car runs great and the air conditioning works fine."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Heinz works fine".

The New York Times - Food

If "government" works, fine.

The New Yorker

"It works fine".

The New York Times - Science

That works fine.

Yale University

gdb works fine, though.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When assimilation works, fine.

The New York Times - Arts

That still works fine.

The Washington Post

"And it still works fine".

The New York Times

A toaster oven works fine.

The New York Times - Food

Again, it works fine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If that works, fine.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "works fine" to indicate that something is functioning without significant issues but may not be exceptional. It's suitable when you want to convey that a basic requirement is met.

Common error

Avoid using "works fine" when you want to express that something is excellent or exceeding expectations. This phrase implies adequacy, not superiority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "works fine" functions primarily as a predicate expressing that a subject is in acceptable working order. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in diverse scenarios indicating satisfactory performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "works fine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something functions adequately. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and informal settings. While it implies satisfactory performance rather than excellence, it is a reliable phrase for indicating that basic functional requirements are met. For more nuanced expressions, alternatives like "functions adequately" or "is functional" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is functional

A concise way of stating that something is working.

functions adequately

Focuses on the basic level of functionality being met.

performs satisfactorily

Indicates that the performance meets the required standards.

operates acceptably

Highlights that the operation is within acceptable parameters.

is in working order

Emphasizes the state of being functional, often after repair or setup.

is serviceable

Highlights that something is in a condition to be used and provide service.

is up to par

Suggests that something meets the expected level of quality or performance.

suffices

Implies that something is enough to meet the needs, though not necessarily exceptional.

does the job

A more informal way of saying that something fulfills its purpose.

gets the job done

Similar to "does the job", but with a slightly more emphatic tone.

FAQs

How can I use "works fine" in a sentence?

You can use "works fine" to indicate that something is functioning adequately. For example, "The old computer "works fine" for basic tasks like word processing and email".

What can I say instead of "works fine"?

You can use alternatives like "functions adequately", "is functional", or "does the job" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "works fine" or "work fine"?

"Works fine" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "work fine" is correct for plural subjects. For example, "The application works fine", but "The applications work fine".

What's the difference between "works fine" and "works perfectly"?

"Works fine" implies that something functions adequately or acceptably, while "works perfectly" suggests that it functions without any flaws or issues. "Works perfectly" indicates a higher standard of performance than ""works fine"".