a defective item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a defective item" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a product that is faulty or not functioning as intended. Example: "The store has a policy for returning a defective item within 30 days of purchase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Coupon in hand, she wanted to use the slip — which had been mailed to her by a product manufacturer — so she could replace a defective item.

The Washington Post

Cost for returning a defective item.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Sometimes it's simply listening to them even more, other times it means exchanging a defective item for a new one.

Forbes

Later work focused on slight variations of the classical model such as noisy group testing, where a positive result may not always correspond to the presence of a defective item due to "noise" in the test output [21 24].

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

The advantage of these plans is that once a defective item appears sampling can stop given that the minimum condition for accepting the lot has been violated (Squeglia 1994).

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Ever since committing to Prime — and this is anecdotal — but our household trips to Target steadily decreased, and in 2013, outside of one trip to replace a defective item in a pinch, I haven't shopped for household goods in any mega-store.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It may be that you're wary about purchasing a refurbished product because you'd rather avoid the hassle of a potentially defective item.

HuffPost

A "A tenant has the right to request that the landlord repair any defective items in the kitchen," said David Ng, a Manhattan lawyer who represents tenants.

The New York Times

To identify these items, it is possible to perform group tests: testing a subset of the population will lead to a positive test result if this subset contains at least one defective item, and a negative result otherwise.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Additionally, Maleki Vishkaei et al. (2014) extended Hsu and Hsu (2012)'s research to determine the optimal ordering strategy considering a return agreement between a supplier and a retailer for defective items, stored in a warehouse to return to the supplier by receiving a new order.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

If a hose is broken, pump cracked, etc., you will need to replace the defective item.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing products for sale, clearly state the return policy for "a defective item" to build customer trust.

Common error

Avoid using "a defective item" when the problem is clearly physical damage caused by misuse or accident, rather than a manufacturing flaw. Use "a damaged item" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a defective item" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "defective" modifies the noun "item". As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes an item that has a flaw or imperfection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a defective item" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe a product with a flaw or imperfection. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to identify and categorize substandard goods. While predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for everyday use. Understanding its function helps ensure clear and accurate communication, particularly in retail and manufacturing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A faulty product

Replaces "defective" with "faulty", maintaining the same meaning.

A non-functional item

Explicitly states the item's lack of functionality.

A malfunctioning unit

Substitutes "defective item" with a more technical term, implying operational failure.

A substandard product

Highlights the item's failure to meet quality standards.

A broken item

Uses a simpler term, "broken", to describe the item's condition.

A flawed piece

Uses "flawed" to describe the item's imperfection or defect.

An impaired object

Replaces "defective" with "impaired", suggesting reduced functionality.

An imperfect article

Replaces "defective" with "imperfect", implying a deviation from the ideal state.

A damaged product

Focuses on the damage rather than the defect, but still conveys the item's unsuitability.

A compromised unit

Suggests the item's integrity or performance is reduced due to a defect.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a defective item" and "a damaged item"?

"A defective item" has a flaw from manufacturing, while "a damaged item" is harmed after production, such as during shipping.

How do I handle /s/returning+a+defective+item to a store?

Check the store's return policy, keep your receipt, and clearly explain the defect to the customer service representative. Provide photographic or video evidence, if possible.

What can I say instead of "a defective item"?

You can use alternatives like "a faulty product", "a malfunctioning unit", or "a broken item" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to sell "a defective item" at a discount?

Yes, but it's essential to clearly disclose the defect to the buyer and ensure it complies with local regulations regarding the sale of flawed goods.