are functioning poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are functioning poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not operating effectively or as intended. Example: "The machines in the factory are functioning poorly, leading to delays in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Checks and balances in the American constitutional system are functioning poorly.

The New York Times - Books

Zapping memory areas when they are functioning poorly improves the brain's encoding of new information.

The New York Times - Health

Given the low numbers of extension staff, accompanied by low levels of training, it is not surprising that extension organizations are functioning poorly in Africa.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Studies conducted among people in the general population (not limited to PLHIV) suggest that although both food and cash transfers increase food consumption, food transfers result in greater increases in caloric intake than cash transfers, may be preferred by beneficiaries over cash, and may be more appropriate when food is scarce and/or food markets are functioning poorly [ 19, 20, 22, 23].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet in his analysis of 446 cases, Dr. McGlashan found that about two-thirds of the former patients with schizophrenia who had been treated with psychoanalysis were functioning poorly and struggling in their relationships and in their jobs, if they had them.

The New York Times - Health

Of course, that's almost a joke in neighborhoods such as Harlem, where schools have been functioning so poorly, they should have been closed down for bad business practices years ago.

Los Angeles Times

Though no one disputes that the address system is functioning, Icann has proved poorly equipped to handle numerous related policy matters.

The New York Times

This result is consistent with previous studies demonstrating that NRT1.1 is a key player in the nitrate regulation when NH4+ is present and functions poorly when NH4+ is absent39,44.

Nature

The researchers speculate that the cold environments in which penguins evolved may have played a role in their changing tastes, as the taste receptors for sweet, umami and bitter are said to function poorly in cold temperatures.

Huffington Post

These children were more likely to function poorly in school, at work and in marriage.

The New York Times - Science

After 13 hours of surgery, his arm was reattached, but it functioned poorly and left no feeling in his hand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or organization, clarify which specific aspects of it "are functioning poorly". This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are functioning poorly" without specifying what is affected. For instance, instead of saying "the system is functioning poorly", specify that "the system's data processing capabilities are functioning poorly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are functioning poorly" serves as a descriptive predicate, indicating that a subject is operating at a substandard level. Ludwig provides examples showing its use across various domains. It is used to assess the state or performance of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are functioning poorly" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing substandard operation, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, demonstrating a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, specify what exactly is not functioning well to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "are operating inadequately" or "are underperforming" can provide nuanced ways to express the same idea. While "are functioning poorly" is not exceedingly common, its usage across reputable sources makes it a reliable choice for clear and direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are operating inadequately

Replaces "functioning poorly" with "operating inadequately", focusing on the substandard level of operation.

are performing poorly

Substitutes "functioning" with "performing", highlighting the low level of achievement or execution.

are working improperly

Replaces "functioning poorly" with "working improperly", emphasizing the incorrect or faulty manner of operation.

are not working effectively

Expresses the idea of poor function by stating the lack of effectiveness.

are underperforming

Replaces "functioning poorly" with "underperforming", pinpointing the state of not reaching the expected performance level.

are not up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something is below the expected standard of function.

are deficient in function

Emphasizes the lack or inadequacy of proper function.

are malfunctioning

Focuses specifically on the idea of incorrect or disrupted function, implying a fault.

are impaired

Indicates a reduced or weakened ability to function correctly.

are struggling to operate

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in maintaining even a minimal level of function.

FAQs

How can I use "are functioning poorly" in a sentence?

You can use "are functioning poorly" to describe systems, organizations, or even physical body parts that are not working as expected. For example, "Due to budget cuts, the library's resources "are functioning poorly"".

What are some alternatives to "are functioning poorly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "are operating ineffectively", "are underperforming", or "are malfunctioning".

Is it grammatically correct to say "are functioning poorly"?

Yes, the phrase "are functioning poorly" is grammatically correct. The verb "are" agrees with a plural subject, and "functioning" is a present participle modifying the subject, with "poorly" acting as an adverb.

What's the difference between "are functioning poorly" and "are not functioning well"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "are functioning poorly" implies a more significant degree of impairment than "are not functioning well". The latter suggests a milder issue, whereas the former can indicate a more serious problem or deficiency.