become defective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become defective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object or system that has developed faults or is no longer functioning properly. Example: "After years of use, the old printer began to become defective, frequently jamming and producing poor-quality prints."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

In this paper, we try to explain the maintenance of cooperation in multiplex networks with limited and partible resources of agents: defection brings larger short-term benefit and cooperative agents may become defective because of the unaffordable costs of cooperative behaviors that are performed in multiple layers simultaneously.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Dr. Evangelos Michelakis of the University of Alberta, who came up with the idea, says there is a mechanism by which cells that become defective can commit suicide for the greater good of the body.

The New York Times - Health

It noted that the airbags only become defective based on certain factors, such as age.

TechCrunch

The system may become defective at any point of time when it is in operation.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

For example, welds are the most vulnerable component in the rail [5] and can easily become defective by HE made by designers, manufactures, operators or maintainers (DMOM).

Urban Rail Transit

Tissue engineering aims to regenerate, repair or replace organs or tissues which have become defective due to trauma, disease or age related degeneration.

Mathematical Biosciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

A possible explanation could be that in the absence of dRecQ4, the S-M checkpoint becomes defective, which allows the mutant cells to enter mitosis with incompletely replicated DNA.

Plosone

However, taken the next previous reports; ER resident proteins were the predominant targets of the H2O2-induced oxidative stress [23], and protein folding in ER became defective under the H2O2-induced oxidative stress condition [24], a possible explanation for this finding is that periostin supports protein folding of Notch1 precursor in the ER under the stress condition.

Plosone

We cannot exclude that the stroma protective function towards anoikis in metastasis became defective, Beclin-1 persisting elevated.

Cell Death and Disease

Studies have shown that during the development and progression of arthritis, the synthesis of glucosamine becomes defective thereby resulting in articular degeneration [ 20].

BioMed Research International

While it has been described that CD8+ T cell memory formation becomes defective in old age, the cellular mechanism is largely unknown.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "become defective" to indicate a gradual decline in functionality, rather than a sudden failure. For example: "The software began to become defective after several updates."

Common error

While "become defective" is generally acceptable, consider more precise terms like "malfunction", "fail", or "become inoperative" in formal or technical writing to convey the specific nature of the defect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become defective" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. It indicates that something is transitioning into a state of being flawed or non-functional. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become defective" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of declining functionality. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage spans across scientific, news, and general informational contexts. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "fail" or "malfunction" may be preferred in technical writing. When using the phrase, ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning—past or potential future. Remember to use "become defective" to suggest a progressive decline and to consider more precise terms depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become faulty

Similar in meaning, emphasizing the presence of flaws or imperfections.

malfunction

A more concise and direct synonym, often used in technical contexts.

break down

Suggests a more sudden and complete cessation of function.

fail

A general term indicating inability to perform as expected.

go wrong

A more informal way to describe something not working correctly.

become impaired

Focuses on a diminished capacity to function, rather than a complete failure.

become non-operational

A more formal and technical term, often used in official reports.

cease to function

A formal way of saying something stops working.

degrade

Implies a gradual decline in quality or functionality.

deteriorate

Similar to degrade, suggesting a worsening condition over time.

FAQs

How can I use "become defective" in a sentence?

You can use "become defective" to describe something that is progressively failing or developing faults. For example, "The device may "become defective" over time due to wear and tear".

What's a more formal alternative to "become defective"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "become inoperative", "malfunction", or "fail" instead of "become defective".

Is it better to say "became defective" or "become defective"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Became defective" refers to a past event, while "become defective" describes a potential future state or general tendency. For example, "The airbag became defective due to age" (past) versus "Components may "become defective" under extreme conditions" (potential future).

What causes something to "become defective"?

Things "become defective" due to various reasons, including age, wear and tear, environmental factors, manufacturing flaws, or improper maintenance. The specific cause depends on the object or system in question.