If you’re looking for another way to say “inner workings” at work or elsewhere, this is the article for you!
Below, we’ll discuss how to say “inner workings” in a both literal and figurative way.
In addition, we’ve provided a list of helpful alternative words and phrases that you can use instead of “inner workings.”
Inner Workings Synonyms
- Internal processes
- Mechanics
- Fundamentals
- Mechanisms
- Nitty-gritty
- Barebones
- Brass tacks
- Intrinsic details
- Procedural components
- Interior
- Foundations
- Essentials
- Basic principles
- Rudiments
- Insides
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The phrase “inner workings” is perfectly correct and can be used both literally and figuratively.
- A good professional synonym for “inner workings” is “internal processes.”
- A more general alternative is “mechanics.”
Keep reading to see how we use our favorite formal and informal synonyms for “inner workings” in some helpful examples!
Thereafter, we’ll look at the phrase “inner workings” more closely and discuss its correctness.
Internal Processes (Formal)
If you’re looking for a professional way to say “inner workings,” we would recommend the phrase “internal processes.”
This useful synonym is a business term that describes how a business or company operates and how its performance is measured from within, without any help from outside sources.
Therefore, you can use this phrase when discussing your organization’s “inner workings” with shareholders, your boss, or your colleagues at a meeting or in an email.
“Internal processes” is a better phrase to use than “inner workings” in a business environment since it is a known phrase in the corporate world.
After all, using business jargon and phraseology will give the impression that you are knowledgeable about your field.
Let’s see how you might use this phrase in a sentence:
We can use this online system to thoroughly document, manage, and scrutinize our internal processes throughout the year.
Next, let’s see it in an email sample:
Dear Colleen,
I think this investment will make our internal processes significantly cheaper in the long run.
Have a look at the information I’ve attached and let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Ayanda
Mechanics (Informal)
Another word for the inner workings of something is “mechanics.” You can use this synonym both literally and figuratively.
On one hand, you can talk about the “mechanics” of a tangible thing like a car, a robot, or any other physical device in the world.
The “mechanics” are the machinery or working parts of a thing that allow it to move or operate.
On the other hand, when we talk about the “mechanics” of something in a figurative sense, we are simply referring to how something works in more detail.
“Mechanics” is not a better term than “inner workings.” However, it will help you to mix up your phrasing from time to time at work or otherwise.
Moreover, it is a very tonally neutral alternative that you can use in both professional and casual settings.
Therefore, let’s look at how you can use this phrase literally in a sentence:
If you open the compartment at the top, we can have a look at some of the mechanics at work in this device.
Now, let’s see this term used figuratively in a work email:
Dear Corbyn,
I think it would be worth discussing the mechanics of our new strategy in more detail.
Are you free for a call this afternoon?
Kind regards,
Sheila
Is It Correct to Say “Inner Workings”?
The phrase “inner workings” is correct and suitable to use in a plethora of situations.
This phrase is neither particularly formal nor informal. Thus, you can get away with using it at work or in a social setting.
Therefore, you might like to use the original phrase instead of one of our synonyms. If so, here’s an example of how you might use “inner workings” in a sentence:
I have taken an interest in the inner workings of our political system as of late.
You can also use “inner workings” in the following ways:
- Inner workings of the mind
- Technical inner workings
As you can see, “inner workings” can be used in both a literal and figurative way.
Therefore, you can use it to discuss the literal insides of something or to discuss the internal processes of an organization.
If you’ve found this article helpful and want to keep our list of synonyms for “inner workings” on hand, go ahead and bookmark this page!