a broken process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broken process" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a procedure or system that is not functioning properly or is flawed in some way. Example: "The team identified a broken process in the workflow that was causing delays in project completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

EFCA restores balance to a broken process.

Huffington Post

Intern Sushi is the brainchild of Shara Senderoff, a film industry executive/producer who was determined to fix what she saw as a broken process for hiring interns.

Huffington Post

Representative Jason Chaffetz, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee who has advocated for FOIA reforms, said in a statement that the bill "is a major milestone and big step forward in fixing a broken process.

Vice

And it's a broken process.

The New Yorker

But at the State Department, some officials were fuming about what they felt was a broken process and a lack of strategy.

The New York Times

Joe Hansen, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, praised the board's move, calling it "a modest but important first step toward fixing a broken process".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I think that it's a very broken process.

The New York Times - Magazine

As much as the Chinese would like to tell the best stories in the world, everybody knows Hollywood is still the king of content — but with a backward, broken process".

The New Yorker

"What is increasingly clear is that the city has been saddled with tens of millions of dollars in hidden costs due to Albany's broken process," said a spokesman for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

The New York Times

He inherited incoherent spending priorities, a broken procurement process and two disastrously mismanaged wars.

The New York Times

He campaigns on reforming a broken political process, yet he has always played politics by the rules as they exist, not as he would like them to exist.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a broken process", ensure the context clearly identifies what the process is and why it is considered broken. Providing specific examples of the issues can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a broken process" without providing context. General statements lack impact. Instead of saying "the project failed due to a broken process", specify which part of the process failed, such as "the project failed due to "a broken communication process"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broken process" functions as a noun phrase, where "broken" modifies the noun "process". It describes a process that is not working correctly or is flawed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and frequently used phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broken process" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a system or procedure that is not functioning correctly. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and business. The phrase’s effectiveness relies on providing specific details about the process and its flaws to enhance clarity. When using this phrase, avoid generalizations and provide examples to underscore the issue. Alternatives like "a flawed procedure" or "a malfunctioning system" can be considered for variety. The analysis shows its frequent use in News & Media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flawed procedure

Changes the adjective to describe the process while maintaining the negative connotation.

a malfunctioning system

Replaces "process" with "system" to broaden the scope, while keeping the core meaning of something not working correctly.

a defective method

Substitutes "broken" with "defective" and "process" with "method" emphasizing the faulty nature of the approach.

an impaired mechanism

Uses more formal language, replacing "process" with "mechanism" to suggest a system that is weakened or damaged.

a non-functional operation

Emphasizes the lack of functionality of the operation, highlighting its inability to perform as intended.

a disrupted workflow

Focuses on the disruption caused by the broken process within a workflow context.

a failed undertaking

Shifts the focus to the failure of the entire undertaking due to issues within the process.

an ineffective approach

Highlights the ineffectiveness of the approach, suggesting it does not achieve the desired outcome.

a troubled system

Uses "troubled" to describe the system implying it is facing difficulties and not operating smoothly.

a problematic procedure

Highlights the presence of problems or issues within the procedure, making it difficult to execute successfully.

FAQs

How can I describe "a broken process" in more detail?

To provide more detail, specify the exact area where the process is failing. For example, instead of just "a broken process", you could say "a broken approval process" or "a broken manufacturing process".

What are some synonyms for "a broken process"?

Synonyms include "a flawed procedure", "a defective method", or "a malfunctioning system". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to use "a broken process" in formal writing?

Yes, "a broken process" is acceptable in formal writing as long as it accurately describes a system or procedure that is not functioning correctly. However, ensure that the tone remains professional and objective.

How can I fix "a broken process"?

To fix "a broken process", start by identifying the specific issues causing the problems. Then, implement changes to address these issues, and regularly monitor the process to ensure the changes are effective. You may also consider using process mapping to visualize the steps and identify bottlenecks.