a malfunctioning portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a malfunctioning portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific part of a system or device that is not working properly. Example: "After the diagnostic test, we found that a malfunctioning portion of the circuit was causing the entire system to fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

While she didn't sport dreadlocks or follow it up with a salute to the Wu-Tangalangsters (as I prefer to call them), Russia's Olga Graf at least had the wardrobe malfunction portion of her routine down pat.

The Guardian - Sport

A malfunctioning thruster was the culprit.

The Washington Post

A malfunctioning radiator thermostat can cause cooling system problems too.

Cornell University

Certainly, this can happen in a malfunctioning matrix.

Harvard Business Review

1) Crash into water from a malfunctioning aircraft.

Independent

Here, a malfunctioning levitation routine is just glossed over.

The Guardian

But then a malfunctioning bladder made his kidneys fail.

BBC

"Tony has been failed by a malfunctioning system," she says.

BBC

Matthew Broughton's tale of a malfunctioning virtual world is engrossing".

Wikipedia

A doctor told Zedd he had a malfunctioning heart valve.

Vice

Internal causes were due to a malfunctioning in the body.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a malfunctioning portion" to refer to physical segments or components, not abstract concepts; for the latter, consider 'a flawed aspect'.

Common error

Avoid using "a malfunctioning portion" when you can identify the specific component. Instead of saying 'a malfunctioning portion of the engine', specify 'a malfunctioning fuel injector'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a malfunctioning portion" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that a specific part of something is not working correctly. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase effectively pinpoints the location of a defect or issue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a malfunctioning portion" serves to pinpoint a specific area that is not working as expected, often found in technical or diagnostic contexts. While grammatically correct and understandable, its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase appears across different types of registers from news to encyclopedia or science. Alternatives such as "a defective segment" or "a faulty section" can provide similar meanings. Ludwig’s analysis confirms its validity for clearly identifying issues in both technical and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a defective segment

Replaces 'malfunctioning' with 'defective' and 'portion' with 'segment', focusing on the flawed nature of a specific part.

a faulty section

Substitutes 'malfunctioning' with 'faulty' and 'portion' with 'section', emphasizing the presence of a defect in a specific area.

a broken component

Replaces 'malfunctioning portion' with 'broken component', highlighting the state of being non-functional.

a non-operational segment

Uses 'non-operational' to replace 'malfunctioning', indicating that the segment is not working.

a defective element

Replaces 'portion' with 'element', suggesting a basic part is flawed.

an impaired part

Substitutes 'malfunctioning' with 'impaired', focusing on the reduced functionality of the part.

a compromised segment

Uses 'compromised' to indicate the portion's functionality is negatively affected.

a disordered segment

Replaces 'malfunctioning' with 'disordered', indicating the state of being out of order.

a damaged component

Focuses on the physical damage of a component, implying it's not working correctly.

a failing section

Uses 'failing' to describe the section, suggesting it is not performing as expected and may stop working soon.

FAQs

How can I use "a malfunctioning portion" in a sentence?

You can use "a malfunctioning portion" to describe a specific part of something that isn't working correctly. For example, "The technician identified "a malfunctioning portion" of the circuit board."

What's a more technical way to say "a malfunctioning portion"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "defective component", "faulty module", or "non-operational segment".

When is it appropriate to use "a malfunctioning portion" instead of "broken part"?

"A malfunctioning portion" is suitable when the part isn't necessarily broken, but isn't performing as expected. "Broken part" implies a more severe state of damage.

Can "a malfunctioning portion" refer to software?

While primarily used for hardware, ""a malfunctioning portion"" can sometimes be applied to software, though terms like "faulty module" or "defective code" are generally more common.