be malfunctioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be malfunctioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a device, system, or process that is not functioning properly or as intended. Example: "The printer seems to be malfunctioning; it keeps jamming and won't print any documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In my case, the CarMD report indicated that two engine sensors might be malfunctioning.

The New York Times

UPDATE (11 December): The mailspool server is down again, and its remote management system seems to be malfunctioning.

University of California, Berkeley

People who voted in the area yesterday morning said some poll workers had seemed confused about how to proceed after the machines were found to be malfunctioning.

The New York Times

Autor is a nationally recognized expert on the federal disability program, Social Security Disability Insurance, which he (and many others) consider to be "malfunctioning".

The New York Times

The concussion protocol gives the NHL a way to deflect responsibility and place it on the player, knowing full well players have myriad incentives not to report – not to mention the obvious problem with putting the onus of reporting a potential brain injury on the person whose brain may be malfunctioning.

The Guardian - Sport

What's more, Ms. Oates's Balzac-like eye for social detail, her ability (demonstrated in earlier novels like "Them" and "You Must Remember This") to make her characters' lives mirror larger developments in the world, seems to be malfunctioning in this novel.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

A wardrobe malfunction is, quite frankly, inexcusable.

The New Yorker

Its radio was malfunctioning.

The New York Times - Magazine

They're malfunctioning at the moment.

The Guardian - Sport

In the meantime, the relievers are malfunctioning.

The New York Times - Sports

At first, he thought the computer was malfunctioning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, "be malfunctioning" is often suitable for equipment, systems, or software that are not performing as expected. For instance, "The software update seems to be malfunctioning, causing the system to crash."

Common error

While "be malfunctioning" is appropriate for technical contexts, avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler phrases like "not working" or "broken" would suffice. Overuse can sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be malfunctioning" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing the state of a subject (device, system, etc.) that is not operating correctly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

27%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be malfunctioning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing something that is not working correctly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and can be employed across various contexts, though it finds particular relevance in News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. While it's a proper option to indicate operation issues, be aware of the formality level, preferring simpler terms like "not working" in informal communications. To expand your vocabulary, consider related phrases such as "be failing", "be out of order", or "be broken" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be not working

A simple and direct way of stating a lack of functionality.

be failing

Focuses on the process of ceasing to function correctly, rather than the state of not functioning.

be out of order

Indicates a temporary or correctable state of non-functionality.

be broken

Suggests a more permanent or severe state of damage.

be defective

Highlights an inherent flaw causing the malfunction.

be acting up

Implies erratic or unpredictable behavior before a complete failure.

be on the blink

Informal way of saying something is intermittently failing.

be non-operational

A more formal and technical term for not functioning.

be glitching

Specifically refers to a software or electronic malfunction.

be haywire

Suggests a chaotic and uncontrolled state of malfunction.

FAQs

How to use "be malfunctioning" in a sentence?

Use "be malfunctioning" to describe a device, system, or process that is not working correctly. For example, "The GPS device seems to "be malfunctioning", as it's not providing accurate directions."

What can I say instead of "be malfunctioning"?

You can use alternatives like "be failing", "be out of order", or "be broken" depending on the specific context and the severity of the issue.

Which is correct, "be malfunctioning" or "is malfunctioning"?

"Be malfunctioning" is grammatically correct in certain constructions, such as after modal verbs (e.g., 'may be malfunctioning', 'could be malfunctioning'). "Is malfunctioning" is used when referring to a specific instance in the present tense (e.g., 'The device is malfunctioning right now').

What's the difference between "be malfunctioning" and "starts malfunctioning"?

"Be malfunctioning" describes a current state of improper function, while "starts malfunctioning" indicates the beginning of that state. For example, "The engine might "be malfunctioning"" vs. "The engine starts malfunctioning after running for an hour."