did not function

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not function" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it for any situation in which something didn't work as expected. For example: "The device did not function properly, so we had to call a technician."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the detonator did not function.

The New Yorker

The badge-printing computers did not function properly.

The Guardian

Ireland's midfield did not function and Jamie Noon prospered.

The Guardian - Sport

The chain of command did not function well.

The New York Times

This result confirmed that USP15 did not function through RAP80.

Nature

The post-cam mechanism did not function after PS TKA.

The Journal of Arthroplasty

Mr. Messier said the board did not function well.

The New York Times

Guns that did not function were good for $20.

The New York Times

When Dan managed a vacation, we did not function as smoothly.

The New York Times - Health

And in high-income neighborhoods, 12.5percentt of pay phones did not function properly.

The New York Times

Word spread quickly of polling stations that opened late and machines that did not function.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process failure, use "did not function" to clearly indicate that the expected operation did not occur. Be specific about what "did not function" and the resulting impact.

Common error

Ensure the context clarifies what "did not function". Avoid using it in isolation without specifying the system, component, or process that failed, as this can lead to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not function" primarily serves as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject failed to perform its intended action or operate as expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not function" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a failure of operation or intended action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject that failed to function. Consider alternatives like "failed to operate" or "did not work" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not work

A more informal and general way to express the same idea.

failed to operate

Emphasizes the lack of operation, slightly more formal.

did not perform as expected

Emphasizes the deviation from the anticipated performance.

ceased to function

Indicates a stop in functioning, emphasizing the cessation.

was non-operational

A more formal alternative, indicating a lack of operational status.

malfunctioned

A single word replacement indicating faulty function.

was inoperable

Focuses on the state of being unable to operate.

was out of order

Commonly used for equipment or systems that are temporarily not working.

proved ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired effect or outcome.

broke down

Suggests a sudden failure in function, often mechanical.

FAQs

How can I use "did not function" in a sentence?

You can use "did not function" to describe something that failed to work as intended. For instance, "The emergency generator "did not function" during the power outage."

What are some alternatives to "did not function"?

Alternatives include "failed to operate", "did not work", or "malfunctioned", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "did not function properly" or just "did not function"?

"Did not function" is sufficient when the context implies a complete failure. "Did not function properly" is useful when something worked, but not as expected.

What's the difference between "did not function" and "ceased to function"?

"Did not function" implies it never worked or didn't work at a specific time. "Ceased to function" /s/ceased+to+function indicates it was working before but stopped.