appears to be broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears to be broken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that seems to be malfunctioning or not working properly. Example: "The machine appears to be broken, as it is not responding to any commands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This link appears to be broken.' Despair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately, this virtuous cycle appears to be broken.

Harvard Business Review

But the American newspaper's business model appears to be broken.

The New York Times

"Mexico's old six-year curse appears to be broken," Mr. Newman said.

The New York Times

When light moves from one medium to another, it scatters this is why a straw in a glass of water appears to be broken.

MIT Technology Review

No one uses a key to get into the building because the front door, which appears to be broken, is always open, day and night.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The theory, however, appears to be breaking down.

The New Yorker

Yet this pattern now appears to be breaking up (see chart).

The Economist

That distinction between expenditures and contributions appears to be breaking down.

The New Yorker

The sound of what appears to be breaking bones can be heard on the tape.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, the party's once formidable patronage and vote-gathering machine appears to be breaking down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears to be broken" when you want to express an observation or assumption about something's condition, rather than stating it as a confirmed fact. For example, "The website appears to be broken, I can't access any pages."

Common error

Avoid using "appears to be broken" when the broken state is already evident. Instead of saying "The car, which is in pieces, appears to be broken", simply state "The car is broken."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears to be broken" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state or condition. It expresses an observation or assessment about something's current condition, implying it is not functioning correctly or is damaged. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears to be broken" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an observation or assumption that something is not functioning correctly. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's versatile, fitting into various contexts from news and media to scientific discussions. While it's important to avoid using it when the broken state is already obvious, "appears to be broken" serves as a useful tool for conveying uncertainty and softening statements about potential malfunctions. Consider alternatives like "seems to be malfunctioning" or "looks like it's out of order" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems to be malfunctioning

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "broken" with "malfunctioning" emphasizing a problem in functionality.

appears to be inoperable

A more formal substitute for "broken", suggesting the item cannot be operated.

seems to be non-functional

Replaces "broken" with "non-functional", a more formal and technical term for not working.

appears to be defective

Substitutes "broken" with "defective", indicating an inherent flaw or fault.

seems to be faulty

Employs "faulty" indicating an issue with the item's proper function due to a defect.

appears to be damaged

Uses "damaged" instead of "broken", focusing on physical harm rather than functionality.

looks like it's out of order

Uses a more informal expression, suggesting the item is not currently working.

seems to be impaired

Replaces "broken" with "impaired", which suggests reduced functionality.

looks like it isn't working

A more conversational phrasing that conveys the same meaning.

looks like it has failed

Uses "failed" implying a complete cessation of function.

FAQs

How can I use "appears to be broken" in a sentence?

You can use "appears to be broken" to describe something that seems to be malfunctioning or not working correctly. For example, "The printer "appears to be broken"; it won't print anything."

What can I say instead of "appears to be broken"?

You can use alternatives like "seems to be malfunctioning", "looks like it's out of order", or "appears to be defective" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "appears to be broken" or "appears broken"?

"Appears to be broken" is generally more grammatically correct and commonly used. "Appears broken" is less formal, but acceptable in certain contexts. It is usually better to include the "to be".

What's the difference between "appears to be broken" and "is broken"?

"Appears to be broken" suggests an observation or assumption based on available information, while "is broken" states a confirmed fact. "The toy "appears to be broken"" means you suspect it's broken. "The toy is broken" means you've confirmed it.