by the malfunction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the malfunction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred as a result of a malfunction in a system, device, or process. Example: "The delay in the project was caused by the malfunction of the main server."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

System failure caused by the malfunction of a thermistor was studied.

Microelectronics Reliability

However, they are subject to system failures caused by the malfunction of underlying network components.

Computer Communications

SIMPLE genetic diseases those caused by the malfunction of a single sort of gene are rare, and the explanation for their rarity is easy.

The Economist

All these defects are caused by the malfunction of a single gene, a house-keeping gene known as a helicase because it helps the cell unwind the double helix of DNA.

The New York Times - Science

Most HAE is caused by the malfunction of the plasma C1 kallikrein inhibitor protein, and can thus be treated with a substitute kallikrein inhibitor Ecallantide during acute HAE attacks (Nussberger et al., 1998).

Protein & Cell

The fire, caused by the malfunction of a backup solid-fuel oxygen generator (SFOG), burned for, according to various sources, between 90 seconds and 14 minutes, and produced large amounts of toxic smoke that filled the station for around 45 minutes.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The disease is caused by the malfunctioning of special cells in the bone marrow: stem cells, the precursor cells that create and maintain the body's supply of blood cells.

MIT Technology Review

This may be explained by the following two mechanisms: firstly, it is due to the increased production of subretinal fluid secondary to a persistent subclinical active inflammation, and secondly, it is due to the decreased absorption of the subretinal fluid by the malfunctioning of the RPE pump and loss of the RPE cells due to chronic inflammation.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

And only two of them were caused by the malfunctioning of the equipment," said Vladimir A. Rudakov of the State Civil Aviation Flight Safety Service.

Los Angeles Times

From our results we hypothesize that the genes found by our method, who have not been declared 'essential' by [ 45], should be 'fragile' in the sense that they are influenceable quite severely by the malfunctioning of many other genes.

BMC Systems Biology

That NMD is an important mechanism is witnessed by the fact that the malfunction of NMD results in serious consequences.

BMC Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by the malfunction of", ensure the context clearly defines what is malfunctioning and the resulting effect. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by the malfunction of" when the actual cause is external interference or improper use, rather than an internal failure. Clearly distinguish between inherent malfunctions and external factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the malfunction of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating causation. It connects a result or consequence to its origin in a faulty or non-operational component, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the malfunction of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate a causal relationship, specifically attributing an outcome to a component's failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While generally neutral to formal, its use is most prevalent in scientific and news contexts. Alternatives like "due to the failure of" or "as a result of the defect in" provide similar meanings, but might carry slightly different nuances. When employing this phrase, ensure the malfunctioning component and the resulting effect are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your writing's clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to the failure of

Replaces "malfunction" with "failure", offering a more general term for something not working correctly.

as a result of the defect in

Substitutes "malfunction" with "defect", highlighting an inherent flaw as the cause.

owing to the breakdown of

Replaces "malfunction" with "breakdown", emphasizing a complete cessation of function.

because of the faulty operation of

Emphasizes the incorrect or impaired nature of the operation as the cause.

caused by the impaired functioning of

Highlights the reduced or damaged functionality as the root cause.

attributable to the impaired operation of

Identifies the root cause with more formality.

stemming from the improper working of

Uses a more descriptive term for malfunction, specifically "improper working".

resulting from the flawed performance of

Focuses on the substandard or deficient output as the reason.

arising from the non-operational state of

Indicates a state of being out of service or not functioning.

triggered by the aberrant behavior of

Emphasizes unusual or atypical actions as the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "by the malfunction of" in a sentence?

Use "by the malfunction of" to indicate that something occurred as a direct result of a failure or defect in a system, device, or process. For instance, "The system failure was caused "by the malfunction of" a critical sensor".

What phrases are similar to "by the malfunction of"?

Similar phrases include "due to the failure of", "as a result of the defect in", or "owing to the breakdown of". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey regarding the cause of the issue.

Is it correct to say "due to a malfunction" instead of "by the malfunction of"?

Yes, "due to a malfunction" is a grammatically correct and often more concise alternative. Both phrases indicate causation, but "due to a malfunction" might be preferred for its directness and simplicity.

What is the difference between "malfunction" and "failure" in the context of "by the malfunction of"?

"Malfunction" typically implies an imperfect or abnormal functioning, while "failure" suggests a complete cessation of function. Therefore, using "by the malfunction of" might suggest a degraded performance, whereas ""due to the failure of"" implies a total breakdown.