Incorrect operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Incorrect operation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where a mistake in a process or calculation is being identified. For example, "The system reported an incorrect operation during the data entry." Alternative expressions include "Wrong operation," "Faulty operation," and "Erroneous operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Byzantine fault tolerance: A Byzantine fault is an incorrect operation that occurs in a distributed environment.

Journal of Cloud Computing

The incorrect operation of protection relays has contributed to a number of cascades failures and blackouts [7, 8].

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The incorrect operation of the construct compromises the psychometric results of scale and its applicability in future studies.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Hidden failures can only be detected when they cause an incorrect operation or when the faulty element is tested.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Manufacturing faults are physical defects introduced into the integrated circuit during the manufacturing process that result in its incorrect operation.

Verification Techniques for System-Level Design

Roscosmos's Aleksandr Ivanov explained that the issue was "incorrect operation of software algorithms in combination with unaccounted peculiarities of azimuths of the launch from the new Vostochny Cosmodrome".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

These issues range from simple incorrect operations to aborted operations or severe system failures.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Figure 3 presents the complete FTA for MAPS showing the failure rate of all the modules along with human error failure rate due to careless and incorrect operations.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Availability A{t|M t)} can be evaluated by means of the unavailability, the probability of incorrect operations U{t|M t)} under condition that maintainability M t) is provided (∀ t, M t)=1).

European Transport Research Review

Probability of incorrect operations of GNSS system can be determined from given integrity risk IR t) = PF DU (t) and continuity risk CR t) = PF DD (t) + PF SD (t) as U{(t|M t)} = IR t) + CR t) = PF DU (t) + PF DD (t) + PF SD (t).

European Transport Research Review

Numerous studies and anecdotes showed that astronauts experienced many negative emotions in space, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, which would deteriorate even further under emergency situations and ultimately lead to unreliable or incorrect operations [ 1].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer this phrase in medical or engineering contexts where describing a specific deviation from a protocol is necessary for diagnostic purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "Incorrect operation" to describe social faux pas or general human behavior. It is a technical term that should be reserved for processes, machinery, software, or medical procedures.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a nominal compound where the adjective "incorrect" modifies the noun "operation". According to Ludwig, it serves primarily as a subject or a direct object in sentences describing failure analysis or system diagnostics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Incorrect operation" is a robust and formal noun phrase used to denote a specific failure in a process or mechanism. Ludwig AI demonstrates that its usage is most frequent in the Science and Engineering sectors, particularly in diagnostic contexts. It is a preferred term when one needs to describe an action that was executed wrongly without necessarily attributing it to a mechanical breakdown (which would be a "malfunction") or a specific person (which would be "human error"). Writers should feel confident using this phrase in any professional or technical documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Faulty operation

Suggests a physical defect or a breakdown in the mechanical process.

Improper functioning

Focuses on the state of the system not working as intended over time.

Erroneous execution

More common in computing to describe a process that followed the wrong logic path.

Operational failure

Broader term that often encompasses the total cessation of a task.

Malfunction

A single-word formal noun that implies a failure to function in a normal manner.

Wrong procedure

Shifts the focus from the machine to the steps followed by an operator.

Inaccurate performance

Implies the operation was completed but did not meet the required precision.

Technical glitch

Significantly more informal and typically refers to a minor or temporary error.

Systemic error

Indicates that the incorrect action is built into the process itself.

Human error

Specifically identifies the source of the incorrect action as a person.

FAQs

How do I use "Incorrect operation" in a professional report?

You can use it to describe a specific failure point, such as: "The system failure was traced back to an incorrect operation of the secondary cooling unit."

What can I say instead of "Incorrect operation" for a software bug?

For software, you might consider using phrases like "erroneous execution" or "logical error" to be more precise.

Is it better to use "Incorrect operation" or "Faulty operation"?

Use "Incorrect operation" if the action performed was wrong despite the machine working. Use "faulty operation" if the machine itself is broken or malfunctioning.

Can "Incorrect operation" refer to a surgical mistake?

Yes, in medical journals, it is often used to describe procedures performed on the wrong site or using the wrong technique, as seen in many scientific examples provided by Ludwig.