cause malfunction

USAGE SUMMARY

'cause malfunction' is a grammatically and stylistically correct way to express something in written English.
For example, "The computer stopped working due to a malfunction in the system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Fundamental mode FSMs can also cause malfunction due to the presence of static hazards in the NS-forming logic.

Engineering Digital Design

Therefore, any delay of feeding during the first 2 weeks may impair histological structure and cause malfunction of the digestive system in yellowtail kingfish larvae.

Aquaculture

The small ones are a sort of background, and it is shown that the probability of them impinging close enough to a large particle crater to cause malfunction of the tape is negligible.

Advances in Space Research

Among all the hazards, we thought electrical shock and fire hazards should have the highest priority, since these two hazards would not only cause malfunction of the device but also have high risks of causing danger to the user.

Cornell University

This hardening process is stabilized by a substance known as fibrin-stabilizing factor, or factor XIII. Certain rare hereditary disorders may cause malfunction of this stage of the blood-clotting mechanism.

Britannica

The fundamental mode is characterized, in part, by overlapping input signals and the potential to form certain types of timing defects such as endless cycles, critical races, and essential hazards, any of which, if present and active, is guaranteed to cause malfunction of the FSM.

Engineering Digital Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The performance of a PEMFC system is very sensitive to the operating conditions, and uncontrolled working conditions may cause malfunctions and degradation.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

However, this will often cause malfunctions where the magazine spring has difficulty feeding rounds quickly enough to match the SAW's high cyclic rate.

Wikipedia

In contrast, gerontology is concerned whether it is "molecular damage" or "hyperfunction" cause malfunctions and diseases (causes of death).

Aging

Pairing incompatible logs and burners will cause malfunctioning and even a dangerous carbon monoxide condition.

WikiHow

Smoke can cause malfunctions in the appliance mechanisms, so clean and test until the appliances run smoothly.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, be specific about what action or condition is causing the "malfunction". For example, "Overheating can cause malfunction of the CPU."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "cause malfunction" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "mess up", "break", or "glitch" for more natural-sounding communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause malfunction" functions as a verb phrase where "cause" acts as a transitive verb, and "malfunction" is the direct object. It indicates that something is the reason for something else not working correctly. Ludwig AI confirms that is used in many different types of sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

22%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause malfunction" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something leads to a device or system not working correctly. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase. It is common across scientific, news, and academic contexts. While "cause malfunction" is technically correct, remember to consider the formality of the context. Simpler terms might be more appropriate for casual conversation. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly specify what is leading to the "malfunction" for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

induce failure

Focuses on the result of the action being a failure, emphasizing a more severe outcome.

trigger a fault

Highlights the initiation of a fault, suggesting a specific event that leads to the malfunction.

lead to breakdown

Emphasizes the process leading to a state of being broken down or non-functional.

precipitate failure

Implies hastening or accelerating the occurrence of a failure.

generate an error

Focuses on the creation or production of an error as a result.

result in defect

Highlights the defective outcome that ensues as the effect of a particular action or circumstance.

spark a glitch

Implies initiating a minor, temporary problem or malfunction.

initiate a problem

Stresses starting a difficulty that might not be immediately a malfunction.

foster impairment

Signifies nurturing or encouraging damage/weakness of something to the point it malfunctions.

produce anomaly

Implies creating a deviation from what is standard, normal, or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "cause malfunction" in a sentence?

The phrase "cause malfunction" is used to indicate that something is leading to a device or system not working correctly. For example, "A power surge can "cause malfunction" in electronic devices".

What are some alternatives to "cause malfunction"?

Alternatives include "cause failure", "induce failure", or "lead to breakdown", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cause a malfunction" or "cause malfunction"?

Both phrases are grammatically sound, but using the article "a" before "malfunction" is generally preferred for clarity and natural flow. So, "cause a malfunction" is slightly better.

What is the difference between "cause malfunction" and "result in malfunction"?

"Cause malfunction" implies direct causation, while "result in malfunction" suggests a consequence. For example, "Poor maintenance can "cause malfunction"", versus "The software update may "result in malfunction"" if issues arise after the update.