fewer malfunctions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fewer malfunctions" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when comparing a smaller number of malfunctions in one context to another, often in discussions about quality or performance. Example: "The new model has fewer malfunctions than the previous version, leading to higher customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This demonstrated that there were fewer malfunctions within cellular processing and potentially fewer cases of apoptosis.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Another important issue described in the recent literature is the improved results with fewer malfunctions and longer catheter survival found when performing the procedure with a classic laparoscopic technique using the several ports approach under general anesthesia [ 10].

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And it has had a few malfunctions under the stress of Enron's bankruptcy.

The New York Times

The intimate show in New York that June was met with a heartfelt ovation, despite a few malfunctions and one false start (nothing Starck couldn't charm her way out of).

The New York Times

The iPhone 4 had the fewest malfunctions not due to accidental damage while Motorola and HTC Android phones tied for second.

TechCrunch

Their DJ, close friend Stuart Norton had a few malfunctions with the docking system ("Yo, hold up!

Huffington Post

Recent experiments suggest that certain psychiatric conditions can be caused by just a few malfunctioning neurons out of the trillions in every brain.

The New Yorker

Sign up with the free host that both fits your needs and has the fewest malfunction problems.

WikiHow

The last convoy of MRAPs, heavily armored personnel carriers, made a largely uneventful journey out except for a few equipment malfunctions along the way.

Independent

Passes were misplaced or dropped, runners were not where ball-carriers expected them to be, a few lineouts malfunctioned and it was only in the scrum, invariably a source of succour against Australia, where they enjoyed manifest superiority, awarded seven free-kicks or penalties to none.

The Guardian - Sport

With no moving parts, there are fewer chances for malfunction, and the Wi-Fi connection allows the city to remotely set special rates and times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the performance of two systems or products, use "fewer malfunctions" to highlight the improvement in reliability of one over the other. For example: "The updated software version has "fewer malfunctions" compared to the original release."

Common error

Remember that "fewer" is used for countable nouns (malfunctions), while "less" is for uncountable nouns. Avoid saying "less malfunctions"; the correct term is "fewer malfunctions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer malfunctions" acts as a comparative, indicating a reduction in the number of malfunctions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It functions to quantify and compare the incidence of failures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fewer malfunctions" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase used to denote a reduction in the number of operational failures. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to highlight improvements or advantages in system reliability. When writing, remember to use "fewer" with countable nouns like "malfunctions", and consider alternatives like "reduced number of faults" or "lower incidence of problems" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced number of faults

Replaces "malfunctions" with "faults" and uses a more formal structure.

lower incidence of problems

Focuses on the frequency of problems rather than specific malfunctions.

decreased rate of failure

Emphasizes the rate at which failures occur, implying a statistical perspective.

less frequent breakdowns

Uses "breakdowns" as a synonym for malfunctions, suggesting mechanical failures.

fewer operational issues

Broadens the scope to include any kind of operational problem.

improved reliability

Focuses on the positive aspect of increased dependability, implying fewer issues.

enhanced performance

Shifts the focus to overall performance, suggesting that fewer malfunctions contribute to better results.

minimized defects

Highlights the reduction of defects, which cause malfunctions.

scarcer incidents of trouble

Uses less common words like "scarcer" and "incidents", which makes the phrase sound old-fashioned.

reduced error occurrences

Focuses on errors as the cause of malfunctions.

FAQs

How to use "fewer malfunctions" in a sentence?

Use "fewer malfunctions" to compare the number of issues in different systems or versions. For example, "The updated model experienced "fewer malfunctions" than its predecessor."

What can I say instead of "fewer malfunctions"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced number of faults", "lower incidence of problems", or "decreased rate of failure" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fewer malfunctions" or "less malfunctions"?

"Fewer malfunctions" is correct. "Fewer" is used for countable nouns like "malfunctions", while "less" is for uncountable nouns. So, ""fewer malfunctions"" is the grammatically correct option.

What's the difference between "fewer malfunctions" and "improved reliability"?

"Fewer malfunctions" directly refers to a reduced number of issues or failures. "Improved reliability" is a broader term that implies a higher degree of dependability, which can be achieved through various factors, including having fewer malfunctions.