cannot function properly

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot function properly" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to communicate that something is broken or is not working as intended. For example: "Without its cooling system, the engine cannot function properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

ECMO systems are used for patients whose lungs and/or heart cannot function properly on their own and need time to heal.

Procedia Computer Science

The men and women who run the EU may resent French swagger from time to time, but they know that Europe cannot function properly if France is sulking on the sidelines.Mr Sarkozy appears to have three big ideas for reconciling sullen French voters with the EU.

The Economist

The reason is I basically cannot function properly, speak well or make sound decisions.

TechCrunch

This argument is based on the notion that the "marketplace of ideas" cannot function properly if not all ideas can get into the marketplace.

Los Angeles Times

During stressful situations, the adrenal glands sometimes cannot function properly, resulting in the conversion of progesterone into cortisol.

WikiHow

However, sometimes the circumstances in which you find yourself are so debilitating to you that you cannot function properly and your work performance continues to suffer.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"I cannot function.

Huffington Post

Urpilainen and Soini were against the bailout, with Urpilainen demanding more responsibility from banks and investors and Soini repeating his stance that the eurozone cannot possibly function properly with countries like Portugal and Greece as members.

Wikipedia

It is perhaps only then that these ideologues will realize how much of their daily lives are actually dependent on "the government" being able to do the multitude of things it does for "the American people," and how our free democratic society cannot function without a properly funded "government".

Huffington Post

At the same time, moderation seems to be the foundation of many contemporary democratic political regimes, because the competition between parties cannot properly function without compromise and bargaining.

University of Pennsylvania

This section shall not be construed to prohibit the dismissal from employment of a Federal civilian employee who cannot properly function in his employment.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot function properly", ensure the subject and context clearly indicate what is failing to operate as intended. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot function properly" without a clear subject. For example, instead of saying "Things cannot function properly", specify what 'things' you're referring to: "The government's departments cannot function properly due to budget cuts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot function properly" acts as a predicate, describing a state of impaired functionality. It indicates that a subject is unable to perform its intended purpose or operate as expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot function properly" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that something is not operating as intended. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds common usage across diverse contexts, spanning from news and media to science and wiki sources. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and context. Related alternatives include "cannot operate correctly" and "cannot work effectively". Be mindful of overuse; where possible make the subject clear and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot operate correctly

Replaces "function properly" with "operate correctly", focusing on the operational aspect.

cannot work effectively

Substitutes "function properly" with "work effectively", emphasizing the lack of efficiency.

cannot perform as expected

Changes the focus to performance relative to expectations rather than proper functioning.

is unable to work well

Uses "unable to work well" instead of "cannot function properly", highlighting the inability to perform adequately.

does not operate as designed

Focuses on the design specifications versus actual operation.

is out of order

Informal way to describe not functioning properly, often used for machines or systems.

is not in good working order

A more descriptive way of saying something isn't functioning correctly

has malfunctioned

Emphasizes a breakdown or failure in functioning.

is not up to par

Indicates that performance is below the required standard.

is defective

Suggests a flaw or fault causing the improper functioning.

FAQs

How to use "cannot function properly" in a sentence?

Use "cannot function properly" to describe something that is not working as it should. For example, "The computer "cannot function properly" without the correct drivers".

What can I say instead of "cannot function properly"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot operate correctly", "cannot work effectively", or "is unable to work well" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cannot function properly" or "does not function properly"?

Both "cannot function properly" and "does not function properly" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "cannot function properly" and "functions improperly"?

"Cannot function properly" emphasizes the inability to perform the function well. "Functions improperly" focuses more on the flawed manner in which something operates, implying that there's an issue with the operation.