faulty

USAGE SUMMARY

'faulty' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which means having a defect or failing to meet a standard. For example: The faulty wiring caused a power outage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The singer, who is dyslexic, is not particularly worried about her often faulty spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

The Guardian

The investigation published here, with support from DeSmogBlog and the Climate Investigations Center (CIC), finds many of those involved are still trying to convince politicians, legislators and the public that the science is faulty or can be largely ignored.

The Guardian

For those who know little about Turner's life, it's a jolt to accept that the creator of paintings of genius was a faulty bloke with an intermittently uncivil tongue, a tendency to grunt and a contradictory attitude towards women.

The Guardian - Film

The phone was never examined by the Metropolitan police investigating the murder of Kassahun, nor by Hallam's own defence team, nor raised as an issue by him – which Lady Justice Hallett blamed on his own "faulty recollection and dysfunctional lifestyle".

The Guardian

I have subsequently had a genetic test after deciding that I would have a preventative mastectomy on the other breast if I had a faulty gene.

The Guardian - Opinion

No trite little back dramas, no faffing around with wobbly ladders or faulty electrics – just immediate situations and reactions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She blamed his failure to alert them on his "faulty recollection and a dysfunctional lifestyle, not a deliberate lie".

The Guardian

He claimed a faulty washing machine had flooded his flat but later admitted he had been out late "somewhere I shouldn't have been".

The Guardian - Sport

Some say a faulty sprinkler was to blame, but it's also been claimed that the flood was caused by a burst sewage pipe.

The Guardian - Film

Hoffenheim players showing him the faulty equipment soon afterwards didn't change the official's mind.

The Guardian - Sport

I had a faulty valve, I've got a brand new one now".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing equipment or systems, specify the type of "faulty" component for clarity. Instead of saying "the system is faulty", state "the "faulty" sensor is causing the problem".

Common error

Avoid using "faulty" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying "the data is faulty", specify what makes it so, such as "the data is "faulty" due to measurement errors".

Linguistic Context

"Faulty" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a defect, malfunction, or imperfection. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is widely accepted and utilized across diverse writing styles. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its application in various contexts, such as describing "faulty" wiring, equipment, or reasoning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "faulty" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that is defective, malfunctioning, or flawed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and appropriate for general use. With numerous examples across various sources, it is clear that the word is very common. It often appears in the context of news and media. It is best to use "faulty" with specific details about what is not working correctly rather than a general statement. Alternatives such as "defective" or "malfunctioning" may be used depending on the nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defective

Focuses specifically on flaws in manufacturing or construction.

malfunctioning

Highlights the operational failure or impaired functionality of something.

flawed

Emphasizes the presence of imperfections or errors that compromise quality.

imperfect

General term for something that does not meet the standard of perfection.

out of order

Indicates a temporary state of non-functionality or disrepair.

not working

Simple and direct way to express that something is not functioning properly.

substandard

Implies that something fails to meet required standards or expectations.

broken

Suggests that something is damaged to the point of being non-functional.

in poor condition

Describes the state of something that is deteriorated or damaged.

not up to par

Indicates that something does not meet an expected level of performance or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "faulty" in a sentence?

You can use "faulty" to describe something that has defects or doesn't work properly. For example, "The "faulty" wiring caused a fire" or "The analysis was based on "faulty" data".

What's a good alternative to the word "faulty"?

Alternatives to "faulty" include "defective", "malfunctioning", or "flawed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "faulty" or does it have "faults"?

"Faulty" is an adjective describing something with faults. "Faults" is a noun referring to the defects themselves. So, you could say "The device is "faulty"" or "The device has faults".

What is the difference between "faulty" and "incorrect"?

"Faulty" generally refers to something that is broken or not functioning properly, while "incorrect" refers to something that is wrong or inaccurate. A "faulty" sensor might produce "incorrect data".