a system malfunction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a system malfunction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a failure or error within a system, often in technical or operational contexts. Example: "The team was alerted to a system malfunction that caused the server to go offline unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A) "System malfunction, motor casing interference.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They essentially had less than 40 seconds to manually override a system malfunction before a crash.

The New York Times

The usual response to a system malfunction has been to call for human assistance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new voices were clear, but their tone and their accent seemed more airport than subway... Describes a system malfunction which ended with a live conductor taking over.

The New Yorker

This is the situation in which Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt find themselves in the new science-fiction adventure Passengers, when they are roused prematurely by a system malfunction a quarter of the way into their journey through deep space.

The Guardian - Film

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Alarms can go off accidentally when a system malfunctions or the equipment is old.

Los Angeles Times

Stuck behind Vettel in the first stint after a poor start caused by a systems malfunction, Mercedes' attempt to 'undercut' the Ferrari at the first pit stops foundered because of a problem with the wheel gun on Hamilton's left rear.

BBC

According to Wired Science, "Counting all Soviet/Russian, U.S., European, and Japanese attempts, more than half of Mars missions have failed, either because of some botched rocket launch on Earth or a systems malfunction en route to or at the planet.

Huffington Post

Is a temperature spike in your warehouse to be expected (because it is a hot summer day), or is it an indicator of a heating system malfunction or a fire?

Forbes

Choosing this option will not lead to any system malfunction in any way.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of "a system malfunction", be specific about the consequences, such as data loss, service interruption, or safety hazards.

Common error

Avoid vague descriptions. Instead of simply stating "a system malfunction occurred", identify the specific component or process that failed, if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a system malfunction" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an instance of a system not functioning correctly, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a system malfunction" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a failure or error within a system. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for technical and operational contexts. This phrase appears frequently in news reports, scientific articles, and Wikipedia entries, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it is beneficial to provide specific details about the nature and impact of the malfunction. Alternatives include "a system failure" or "a technical fault". Be cautious of overgeneralizing the cause of the malfunction, and instead, focus on identifying the specific component or process that failed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a system failure

This alternative is a more general term for a system not working correctly.

a technical fault

This alternative implies a defect or error in the technical aspects of a system.

a mechanical breakdown

This suggests a failure specifically in the mechanical components of a system.

an operational error

This alternative highlights a mistake or failure in the operation of a system.

a software glitch

This is specifically related to a problem with the software component of a system.

a hardware failure

This refers specifically to the breakdown of physical hardware components.

a critical error

This emphasizes the severity of the system's failure.

a processing error

This focuses on errors during data processing within the system.

a functional defect

This indicates a problem that prevents the system from fulfilling its intended function.

a programming bug

This refers to errors within the programming code.

FAQs

How can I use "a system malfunction" in a sentence?

You can use "a system malfunction" to describe a failure within a system, such as "The delay was caused by "a system malfunction" in the server room".

What's a good alternative to "a system malfunction"?

Alternatives include "a system failure", "a technical fault", or "a mechanical breakdown", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "system error" or "a system malfunction"?

Both are acceptable, but ""a system malfunction"" often implies a more complex or less easily diagnosed issue than a simple "system error".

What causes "a system malfunction"?

A ""a system malfunction"" can result from a variety of factors, including software bugs, hardware failures, power outages, or even human error.