a malfunction with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a malfunction with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or issue related to a device, system, or process. Example: "We are currently experiencing a malfunction with the printer, which is causing delays in our printing tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The employee, who is certified, stayed after the training to discuss a malfunction with his weapon.

The New York Times

That is something that differentiates me from, say, American Airlines, which had to ground "a few dozen" flights on Tuesday after a malfunction with its pilots' iPads.

The Guardian - Tech

"Late during tonight's game, we were made aware that there was a malfunction with our airplane," Boston General Manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement.

The New York Times - Sports

The idea that they have been preparing for well over a year for the G20 but suddenly there be a malfunction with the ramp just for one president … that really strains credulity".

The Guardian

The detainee had no idea what this evidence was, and it could have been something as trivial as having a malfunction with his tag, a situation which is out of his control.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were no injuries, but the aircraft was written off.In 2005, a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 experienced a malfunction with one of the sensors feeding data to the autopilots.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In the context of aircraft engineering and maintenance, No Fault Found (NFF) is a chain of events that develops from a pilot experiencing a system malfunction with post-flight maintenance failing to reproduce the reported symptoms.

Procedia CIRP

He was about to return to Earth to collect his reward, but a malfunction occurred with the prototype warp drive in the ship he was piloting, making it drift towards the Sun's atmosphere.

Wikipedia

Fluoropyrimidine-associated grade 3/4 toxicity was increased in FOLFOX-4-treated patients experiencing a malfunction compared with those who did not (97 out of 155 vs 452 out of 825 patients), predominantly with increased grade 3/4 neutropenia (53.5% vs 39.8%).

British Journal of Cancer

According to the memorandum describing the meeting with Boeing in March, the Japanese pilots expressed concern that they would receive only a general warning of a battery malfunction, with no indication of its severity.

The New York Times

NASA terminated a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) today due to a spacesuit malfunction with one of the American astronauts.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, be specific about what is malfunctioning and the consequences. For example, instead of saying "There's "a malfunction with" the system," specify "There's "a malfunction with" the server causing intermittent connectivity issues."

Common error

Avoid using "a malfunction with" when simpler terms like "a problem with" or "an issue with" would suffice, especially in non-technical contexts. Overusing technical terms can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""a malfunction with"" serves as a noun phrase that identifies and introduces the existence of a fault or defect affecting a particular device, system, or component. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase ""a malfunction with"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a problem or fault affecting something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It appears frequently in news reports, scientific publications, and wikis, indicating a neutral formality level. While ""a malfunction with"" is a versatile phrase, consider using simpler alternatives like "a problem with" or "an issue with" in non-technical contexts for clarity. Remember to be specific about the source and impact of the malfunction for better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an issue with

Replaces "malfunction" with a more general term for a problem.

a problem with

Uses "problem" instead of "malfunction", offering a simpler alternative.

a defect in

Focuses on the presence of a flaw or imperfection.

a fault in

Highlights a failure or error within something.

a breakdown of

Emphasizes the cessation of normal operation.

a failure of

Indicates a lack of success or proper functioning.

an anomaly in

Suggests a deviation from the norm or expected behavior.

a glitch in

Refers to a minor or temporary problem.

a hiccup with

Implies a small, often easily resolved issue.

a snag in

Denotes an unexpected obstacle or difficulty.

FAQs

What's a simple way to describe "a malfunction with" something?

You can replace "a malfunction with" with phrases like "a problem with" or "an issue with", which are generally easier to understand.

Is it correct to say "a malfunction in" instead of "a malfunction with"?

While "a malfunction with" is acceptable, "a malfunction in" is also grammatically correct and often used, particularly when referring to an internal component or process.

Can I use "failure" as a substitute for "a malfunction with"?

Yes, "a failure of" can be a suitable substitute, especially when the item in question has completely stopped working. For example, "a failure of the engine" is similar to ""a malfunction with" the engine".

How formal is the phrase "a malfunction with"?

The phrase ""a malfunction with"" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider using more precise technical terminology if appropriate.