did not function well

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not function well" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something fails to work as expected. For example, "The computer did not function well and the presentation had to be cancelled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The chain of command did not function well.

The New York Times

Mr. Messier said the board did not function well.

The New York Times

It repealed the direct election law under which the prime minister is elected on a separate ballot -- a quasi-presidential, quasi-parliamentary system that did not function well.

The New York Times

"He may have been on the fringe where he was able to still function, even if he did not function well".

The New York Times

The report does not say that the Troika did not function well, it says it functioned very well...but clearly there could have been a better division of labour.

The Guardian - Business

Multiple correct answers did not function well for test administration over an electronic course management system.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"If the building didn't function well, I think it would get hacked to pieces," Mr. Huttenlocher said.

The New York Times - Arts

"I really want to forget the first half as soon as possible because our defence didn't function well," he told Press Association Sport.

Independent

Right away, the I.C.D. didn't function well, shocking his heart at all the wrong times and making my patient feel as if he were being struck by lightning, over and over.

The New York Times

He has also acknowledged that the company's risk-management procedures didn't function well.

Forbes

"Confidence has been low, but I said we would have a sticky patch and this is it, and we simply didn't function well with two up top.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not function well", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid "did not function well" in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise alternatives such as "malfunctioned" or "failed to operate effectively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not function well" primarily serves as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state or condition of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable to describe a situation in which something fails to work as expected. For example, Ludwig provides us with the sentence: The computer did not function well and the presentation had to be cancelled.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not function well" is a versatile expression used to describe failures in performance across various domains. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct and signifies that something isn't operating as intended. While its register is generally neutral, its presence is particularly common in scientific and news contexts. When writing, be mindful of the specific context and consider stronger, more descriptive alternatives for formal settings, like "malfunctioned" or "failed to operate". Though perfectly acceptable in most cases, specificity and precision can elevate the quality and clarity of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malfunctioned

Implies a specific fault or defect causing the failure.

didn't work effectively

Emphasizes the lack of effectiveness.

failed to operate

A more formal way of saying it didn't work.

performed poorly

Focuses on the substandard quality of the performance.

was not effective

Highlights the ineffectiveness of the subject.

was ineffective

Similar to 'was not effective' but can imply a more systemic issue.

was deficient

Emphasizes a lack of something necessary for proper function.

ceased to function

A formal expression for stopping to work.

broke down

Suggests a complete cessation of function, often suddenly.

fell short

Indicates that the subject failed to meet expectations or requirements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "did not function well" to sound more formal?

Consider using more formal alternatives such as "failed to operate", "performed poorly", or "was ineffective" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "did not function well"?

It means that something didn't work as intended or expected. It suggests there were problems or issues that prevented it from operating effectively.

Is it grammatically correct to say "did not function well"?

Yes, "did not function well" is grammatically correct and widely used in both spoken and written English to describe something that isn't working properly.

In what situations would you use the phrase "did not function well"?

This phrase is applicable to many situations, such as describing a malfunctioning machine, a poorly performing system, or even a person who "performed poorly" due to illness or stress.