fails to work properly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to work properly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something does not work correctly or efficiently. Example sentence: The lawnmower fails to work properly and needs to be repaired.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

When public transit fails to work properly, it's the poorer citizens who suffer most.

The New York Times

It is infuriating when technology fails to work properly; and perhaps more so because technology holds such a promise of perfection.

The Guardian - Tech

Your lymphatic system is responsible for ridding your body of all its toxins and if it fails to work properly, you can become more prone to headaches, poor digestion and mild infections such as colds.

Independent

When oxidative damage occurs in genes that determine cell growth and when the mechanism that normally repairs such damage fails to work properly, the cell is no longer able to keep its growth in check and a malignant tumor results.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it fails to work properly in the presence of CFO.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Hence, as shown in Figure 5a, QandNC scheme fails to work properly.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And when some machines failed to work properly, poll workers seemed unsure of how to improvise.

The New York Times

To add further insult, he says entertainment system failed to work properly.

The Guardian - Money

Internet payments for foreign truckers without GPS units also failed to work properly.

The Guardian - Tech

Several thousand human genes are linked, when they fail to work properly, to more than 4,000 heritable genetic diseases.

The Economist

The local and regional elections in 2007 descended into chaos when counting machines failed to work properly.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process that isn't meeting expectations, use "fails to work properly" to clearly indicate a functional issue. This phrase is suitable for technical documentation, news reports, and general explanations.

Common error

While "fails to work properly" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "isn't working" or "is broken" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to work properly" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject is not performing its intended function adequately or correctly. As Ludwig AI states, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fails to work properly" is a grammatically sound and widely understood way to describe a malfunction or defect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it's most common in news, science, and technical contexts. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase serves to communicate a problem or deficiency in a system's functionality. Keep in mind that while the term is accurate, overuse in informal conversation might sound overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malfunctions

This alternative uses a single word to describe the event of not working, is more concise.

doesn't function correctly

It uses "doesn't" instead of "fails to", which offers a slightly less formal tone.

operates incorrectly

This phrase focuses on the manner of operation rather than a complete failure.

is not working as expected

This is more descriptive and emphasizes a deviation from the intended function.

is defective

This implies an inherent flaw causing the failure.

is out of order

It is commonly used for machinery or systems that are temporarily unusable.

is non-operational

This is a more formal way of saying something isn't working.

ceases to function

This suggests a complete and permanent stop in functionality.

breaks down

Implies a sudden and often unexpected failure.

is inoperative

A formal term indicating a lack of ability to operate.

FAQs

How can I use "fails to work properly" in a sentence?

You can use "fails to work properly" to describe something that is not functioning as intended. For example, "The software "fails to work properly" after the latest update".

What are some alternatives to "fails to work properly"?

Alternatives include "malfunctions", "doesn't function correctly", or "is not working as expected", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "fails to work properly" or "doesn't work properly"?

"Fails to work properly" is slightly more formal. "Doesn't work properly" is more common in everyday speech, but both are grammatically correct.

What does it mean when something "fails to work properly"?

It means that something is not functioning in the way it was designed or intended to function. There may be errors, inefficiencies, or a complete lack of functionality.