failed to operate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to operate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where something was unsuccessful in performing the expected action or task. Example: The elevator failed to operate and we had to take the stairs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

But the system failed to operate properly from the start.

The New York Times

Alberta officials said Tuesday that Syncrude had failed to operate noisemakers to frighten away birds.

The New York Times

And in Fulton County, Ga., which includes Atlanta, some machines failed to operate and there were too few workers.

The New York Times

Reichelt died after he jumped off the Eiffel Tower wearing his invention, which failed to operate as expected.

Independent

Our shortcomings have been broadly shared including how we have failed to operate well internally and externally.

The Guardian

At other polling places, the scanners failed to operate properly when they were switched on, forcing voters to wait while election workers struggled to get the devices going.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

These type of projects may negatively impact operations while personnel are achieving competency or fail to operate as originally intended.

Journal of Big Data

The normal processes of recovery fail to operate, and the economy gets stuck in a slump.

The New Yorker

Backup generators often fail to operate during blackouts for lack of expensive diesel fuel.

The New York Times

Stiglitz showed that if the problem of "asymmetric information" gets too severe, markets may fail to operate at all.

The New Yorker

One clue to Dench's appeal is her husky voice, which has a natural catch in it; certain notes fail to operate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a technical malfunction, use "failed to operate" to maintain a formal tone. Avoid using more colloquial alternatives like "didn't work" unless the context is informal.

Common error

While "failed to operate" is appropriate for formal or technical writing, avoid using it in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "didn't work" or "stopped working" would be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to operate" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of intended action or performance. Ludwig examples show it describing machines, systems, and even abstract processes that did not work as expected. The phrase indicates something did not achieve its function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

41%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to operate" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the non-performance of an intended action or function. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, indicating its neutral register. While

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malfunctioned

Single word substitution for a more concise expression of non-operation.

ceased functioning

Rephrasing to emphasize the termination of operation.

did not work

Simple and direct alternative to express the lack of functionality.

stopped working

Similar to "did not work", but emphasizes the cessation of an ongoing process.

broke down

Informal phrase suggesting a sudden failure in operation.

was inoperative

More formal and technical way of stating that something was not working.

became non-functional

Emphasizes the resulting state of not being able to function.

proved ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired outcome due to non-operation.

went wrong

Casual expression indicating a problem or failure in the process.

was out of order

Common phrase, often used for machines and systems, to indicate temporary unavailability.

FAQs

How can I use "failed to operate" in a sentence?

You can use "failed to operate" to describe a situation where a device, system, or process did not function as intended. For example, "The backup generator "failed to operate" during the power outage."

What are some alternatives to "failed to operate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "malfunctioned", "did not work", or "ceased functioning".

Is it correct to say "fail to operate" instead of "failed to operate"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "fail to operate" is typically used in general statements or conditional clauses (e.g., "If the system fails to operate..."), while "failed to operate" refers to a specific past event.

What's the difference between "failed to operate" and "stopped working"?

"Failed to operate" is generally more formal and may imply a complete lack of function, while "stopped working" can suggest that something was previously functional but then ceased to be.