go faulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go faulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something malfunctions or breaks down. Example: "The old printer tends to go faulty after a few months of heavy use."

✓ Grammatically correct

Neuroscience

Shipping

Climbing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Neuroscience also backs up these basic principles: If our brain is a computer, then our interactions with our parents are the default setting, and when things go faulty or get stressful in our adult lives, our neurons head for a familiar path, one usually set in early development.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Three would have been commonplace on ships of the time, as this is the minimum number required to easily identify one that has gone faulty.

Wikipedia

When things went wrong — faulty radios, unstrung ropes, delays on the path, confusion about oxygen supply — they did so in a variety of small ways that resist undue dramatic emphasis.

The New Yorker

By failing to lead, by failing to change Republicans' deeply extremist behavior, Obama must shoulder the blame, goes the faulty Beltway logic.

Huffington Post

Let go of this faulty expectation.

HuffPost

In addition, we might serve ourselves better to let go of the faulty thought that we cannot change.

Huffington Post

The trial documents point to problems that go beyond a faulty computer program or one-time scheduling glitch: Administrative turnover, teacher burnout and student transiency make it hard for schools like Jefferson to achieve stability.

Los Angeles Times

In particular, the fact that the outlet streams from a faulty unit go through subsequent (well functioning) units raises the possibility of better restricting the effects of the fault to the faulty unit.

Chemical Engineering Science

A well-maintained mound may go unnoticed, but a faulty one can bring the proceedings to a quick and unwelcome halt.

The New York Times - Sports

If he was sometimes too quick to go along with obviously faulty Pentagon group-think (Afghanistan escalation), secret state machinations (the unexamined drone strike program and overly expansive surveillance apparat), and boardroom bailouts (the toothless refinancing of Wall Street speculation) -- or too slow on the trigger (the, ah, "jayvee team" of Isis) -- well, he sure wasn't perfect.

Huffington Post

It was attached to the side of para-badminton star David Follett's wheelchair when, shortly before 10am, the great light went out, a faulty propane cylinder to blame.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical equipment, consider using "malfunction" or "become defective" for a more precise and professional tone. However, in general conversation, "go faulty" is perfectly acceptable.

Common error

While "go faulty" is understandable, avoid using it excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for terms like "malfunction" or "failure" for a more professional and precise tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go faulty" functions as a verbal phrase, where "go" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "faulty". This describes a change in state, indicating that something has transitioned into a malfunctioning condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go faulty" is used to describe when something starts to malfunction or break down. While grammatically correct and understandable, its usage is relatively rare, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's best suited for neutral to informal contexts, with more formal situations potentially benefiting from alternatives such as "malfunction" or "become defective". Although infrequent, the phrase appears across various sources, including news outlets and encyclopedias, as reported by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malfunction

A more technical term for failing to function correctly.

develop a fault

Highlights the emergence of a problem.

become defective

Indicates a change in condition to being flawed or imperfect; more formal.

become non-operational

A more formal and technical way of saying something is not working.

break down

Suggests a complete cessation of function; more general.

cease to function

A formal way to indicate that something has stopped working.

stop working

A simple and direct way to express cessation of function.

fail

A broad term indicating a lack of success or proper functioning.

go wrong

Emphasizes a deviation from the intended or correct state.

get damaged

Focuses on the physical harm leading to malfunction.

FAQs

What does "go faulty" mean?

The phrase "go faulty" means to stop working correctly or to develop a problem that prevents proper functioning. It's similar to saying something is broken or malfunctioning.

How can I use "go faulty" in a sentence?

You might say, "The old television tends to "go faulty" after being on for several hours", or "The sensor might "become defective" if exposed to extreme temperatures."

Are there more formal alternatives to "go faulty"?

Yes, in formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "malfunction", "break down", "become defective", or "fail". These options often provide a more precise and professional tone.

Is "go faulty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "go faulty" is grammatically correct and understandable. It is used to describe something that stops functioning correctly. It is more informal but acceptable in everyday language.