works neatly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "works neatly" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the way in which someone completes a task or job. An example sentence would be: "The gardener worked neatly, leaving the front yard looking tidy and well-manicured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Indeed, Mr. Montone plays a New York City everyman, a role that works neatly within the context of local news radio.

The New York Times - Style

This works neatly: they normally look for three A-levels, while universities in Ireland typically look for six ILCs.In this section Watch your mouth Abode of Islam From mother tongue to meal ticket Cold shower Devaluation Greener than thou Sobering ReprintsBut in formalising the worth of an ILC, UCAS has re-valued the Irish currency.

The Economist

The items, rated on a 5-point scale ranging from (1) very poor to (5) very good, are "Follows classroom procedures," "Works well independently," "Works neatly and carefully," "Uses time wisely," "Completes work promptly," and "Keeps materials organized".

American Journal of Community Psychology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bairstow did nothing spectacular but he did most of his work neatly and compactly.

Independent

Hence Leo's task at work neatly replays his own domestic drama.

The Guardian - Books

On its own level "Cecilia" is an uncomplicated work, neatly divided into sections.

The New York Times

Their double bill at Zankel Hall on Wednesday night looked awkward on paper but worked neatly in practice.

The New York Times

Working neatly with homemade ink on slightly grayed pages that resemble old parchment, Ms. Kuhn draws primordial wilderness scenes in an intricately linear cartoon style.

The New York Times - Arts

The order in which wood is painted, cut and constructed is in flux in Mr. Ryman's work, neatly obscuring the difference between found and made; thrown together and refined; or for that matter, formalist thinking and hands-on craft.

The New York Times - Arts

Especially in "Vespers," there is no mistaking the strength and control of the Ailey women, and Friday's programming placed the work neatly just before Hans van Manen's "Solo," in which three men (Mr. Brown, Glenn Allen Sims and Matthew Rushing) are put through their paces.

The New York Times - Arts

Dressed in torn jeans (Mr. Fairey) and hoodies (everybody), they packed up supplies — buckets of paste, scissors, rope, video camera — and gathered the art: 10-foot-long photocopies of Mr. Fairey's work, neatly snipped in half.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "works neatly" to describe processes, systems, or individual actions where the outcome is both effective and shows attention to detail or organization. For instance, "The filing system works neatly, allowing for quick retrieval of documents."

Common error

Avoid using "works neatly" excessively in academic or formal writing. While grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound informal. Consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "functions effectively" or "operates efficiently" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "works neatly" typically functions as a verb phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe how something operates in an organized and effective manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "works neatly" describes an action or process that is both effective and organized. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare and leans towards a neutral to informal register. It's suitable for general writing and news but consider more formal alternatives like "functions effectively" or "is well-organized" in academic or professional settings. Remember that choosing the right wording will help to convey the exact meaning you intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performs tidily

Highlights the organized and orderly nature of the performance.

functions effectively

Focuses on the effectiveness of the process rather than the tidiness of the outcome.

operates efficiently

Emphasizes the efficiency of operation, possibly in a technical context.

executes cleanly

Implies a lack of errors and a clear, precise execution.

is well-organized

Focuses on the organization of something to produce good results.

is skillfully executed

Highlights the skill involved in achieving a neat and effective outcome.

is competently handled

Highlights the competence in which something is performed.

is methodically done

Highlights the methodical aspect of doing something.

is carefully crafted

Highlights that something is done with care and attention to detail.

is smoothly implemented

Highlights the ease and smoothness of implementing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "works neatly" to describe how effectively and tidily something functions, for example, "The new software "works neatly", streamlining the workflow.".

What are some alternatives to "works neatly"?

Alternatives to "works neatly" include "functions effectively", "operates efficiently", or "performs tidily", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "works neatly" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "works neatly" may sound somewhat informal. Consider alternatives like "functions effectively" or "is well-organized" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "works neatly" and "functions effectively"?

"Works neatly" implies both effectiveness and tidiness or attention to detail, while "functions effectively" primarily emphasizes the effectiveness of the function, without necessarily implying tidiness.