because of a malfunction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "because of a malfunction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the reason for a problem or failure that occurred due to a technical issue or defect. Example: "The flight was delayed because of a malfunction in the aircraft's navigation system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The military says it intentionally crashed the unmanned aircraft late on Saturday because of a malfunction.

The Guardian

American officials have said the drone was lost because of a malfunction.

The New York Times

Its first sea test was halted in November because of a malfunction, but it will be back.

The Washington Post

Iran asserts that its military downed the aircraft, but American officials say the drone was lost because of a malfunction.

The New York Times

American officials say that those stories are fanciful, and that the drone was lost because of a malfunction.

The New York Times

Last month, Sony delayed the Japanese release of its new digital Walkman portable player by a week until Sept. 23 because of a malfunction of an unspecified part.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Israel's prime minister who communicates with Arab media organizations, insisted on Sunday that the Web sites had gone offline "because of a server malfunction, not as a result of a cyberattack".

The New York Times

The next day's show started with the racing element, for which Ramer, because of a malfunctioning steering mechanism, didn't get past qualifiers.

The New Yorker

In 2012, a tamarin had to be euthanized after it was found dehydrated because of a malfunctioning water bottle in its cage.

The New York Times - Science

In a single four-week stretch this summer, the plant was offline for a total of fifteen days because of a malfunctioning steam-isolation valve, elevated water levels in the reactor, and other problems.

The New Yorker

On Friday, the police said that a third bomb found at the Marriott, where at least one of the suspects had stayed, failed to explode because of a malfunctioning timer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "because of a malfunction", be as specific as possible about the type of malfunction to provide clarity. For example, "because of a software malfunction" or "because of a mechanical malfunction".

Common error

Don't just state something failed "because of a malfunction" without further explanation. Readers need context. Provide details about the system or component affected to make the reason understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because of a malfunction" functions as an adverbial phrase of cause, indicating the reason or origin of an event or situation. It explains why something happened or is happening, as seen in examples from Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "because of a malfunction" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to express that an event occurred due to a technical fault or failure. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is widespread across various domains, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. To enhance clarity, specifying the exact nature of the malfunction is recommended. Related alternatives include "due to a technical fault" and "owing to a system error", each adding a slightly different nuance. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase effectively conveys causality, making it an essential tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to a technical fault

Replaces "malfunction" with "technical fault", offering a slightly more specific term.

owing to a system error

Substitutes "because of" with "owing to" and "malfunction" with "system error", highlighting a systemic cause.

as a result of a defect

Emphasizes the presence of a flaw or imperfection causing the problem.

attributable to a component failure

Specifies the cause as the failure of a particular component.

caused by an equipment breakdown

Uses "equipment breakdown" to specify a failure in machinery.

stemming from an operational glitch

Indicates a minor or temporary problem in the operation of something.

on account of a mechanical issue

Replaces "because of" with "on account of" and "malfunction" with "mechanical issue", keeping the meaning similar.

resulting from a functional impairment

A more formal way of saying something isn't working correctly.

triggered by a software bug

Specifies the problem as originating from a software defect.

occasioned by a device defect

Uses "occasioned by" in place of "because of" and refers to a "device defect", maintaining a similar meaning.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "because of a malfunction"?

You can use alternatives like "due to a technical fault", "owing to a system error", or "as a result of a defect" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "malfunction" or "failure"?

"Malfunction" typically implies something isn't working correctly, while "failure" suggests a complete cessation of function. The choice depends on the specific situation.

How can I be more specific when describing a malfunction?

Instead of saying "because of a malfunction", specify the system or component affected. For instance, say "because of a engine malfunction" or "because of a software malfunction".

Is "due to a malfunction" interchangeable with "because of a malfunction"?

Yes, "due to a malfunction" and "because of a malfunction" are generally interchangeable and carry the same meaning.