electricity is off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "electricity is off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the electrical power supply is not functioning or has been turned off. Example: "I tried to turn on the lights, but the electricity is off in the entire building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"And I promise that's not just because the electricity is off".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The electricity is off, there are rats, the pool is green.

Huffington Post

If the voltage detector does not light, the electricity is off, and you can proceed.

WikiHow

Make sure the electricity is off before attempting any electrical repair.

WikiHow

The wireless detectors and the main alarm panel have a battery backup so that they will function even when the electricity is off.

The New York Times

Insurgents are blowing up pipelines and police stations, geysers of sewage are erupting from the streets, and the electricity is off most of the time -- but we've given Iraq the gift of supply-side economics.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The electricity was off, but in the kitchen a battery-powered clock was ticking on the wall.

The New Yorker

With everyday life suspended, schools and businesses were said to be closed, and water and electricity were off more than on.

The New York Times

He said he was surprised to hear that the electricity was off because the church learned of Mr. Parker when it asked Con Edison to cut the power.

The New York Times

In one health centre, they found electricity was off because the bills had not been paid and midwives were trying to do caesarean sections by the light of their mobile phones.

The Guardian

"Had it been part of a coordinated terrorist effort, the fact that the electricity was off would have provided opportunities for real mischief in other areas," he said in an interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting that "electricity is off", specify the affected area if possible (e.g., "The electricity is off in the west wing").

Common error

Avoid using past tense when the electricity outage is ongoing. "The electricity was off" implies it has been restored. Use "electricity is off" to indicate a current situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "electricity is off" primarily functions as a statement of fact, indicating the absence of electrical power. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, highlighting its role in conveying a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "electricity is off" is a common and grammatically correct way to state that there is no electrical power available. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s readily usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in wikis and other general sources. While primarily a neutral statement of fact, the context can influence its specific connotation. For example, you can replace this sentence with alternatives like "power is out", "no electricity", and "power outage". Remember to specify the affected area and use the correct tense to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Power outage

This alternative uses a noun phrase to describe the situation.

Power is out

This alternative uses different vocabulary, but describes similar situation.

No electricity

This alternative is a shorter more direct way to declare absence of electricity.

The power's down

Uses more informal language, maintaining similar core meaning.

The mains are down

This alternative is specific to mains electricity and implies a fault.

The grid is down

This alternative refers to the electricity grid being non-operational.

The power supply is interrupted

Uses formal language to describe similar situation.

There's a blackout

This is using slightly more informal language to express the same situation.

We're experiencing a power cut

Describes the experience of a power cut from the speaker's point of view.

Electrical service is disrupted

A more formal way of stating that the electricity is not working.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says, "The electricity is off"?

It means there is currently no electrical power supply available, possibly due to a technical fault, maintenance, or unpaid bills.

What are some other ways to say "electricity is off"?

Alternatives include "power is out", "no electricity", or "power outage".

Is it correct to say "the electricity was off"?

Yes, but it implies the electricity has since been restored. Use "electricity is off" to describe a current situation.

How can I report that "electricity is off" in a formal setting?

In a formal context, you might say "electrical service is disrupted" or "there is an interruption to the "power supply"".