grid down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grid down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to power outages or situations where the electrical grid is not functioning. Example: "In the event of a natural disaster, it's important to have a plan in place for when the grid is down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Address grid down to 120 nm for the 3 μm.

Columbia University

But if the app works on a virtual grid, down on the real streets of Dar es Salaam, other projects also seek to put people, and their businesses, on more old-fashioned maps in a bid to bolster communities' knowledge and ability to deal with floods and other potential crises.

The Guardian

These include Vodafone, down 5.65p at 113.15p, and National Grid, down 36p at 564p.

The Guardian - Business

There were also a handful of companies going ex-dividend, with National Grid down 46p at 869.5p and WPP 52p lower at £15.07.

The Guardian - Business

A number of companies have seen their shares quoted without the right to the latest dividend, with National Grid down 20p at 940.5p and J. Sainsbury 4.5p lower at 258.1p.

The Guardian - Business

Elsewhere Tesco lost 18.85p to 345.6p after its trading update missed City forecasts, while a number of companies saw their shares go ex-dividend, including National Grid, down 50.5p at 740p, and Associated British Foods, 28p lower at £18.39.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

If the grid goes down, the inverter shuts down too, so no power is available from the solar panel.

Los Angeles Times

Just before the grid shut down, renewables were not offline.

The Guardian - Opinion

Until the grid goes down, that is, and we're back to reading by hamburger glow.

The New York Times - Books

And there's a good deal of crashing, and sometimes the "grid is down".

The New York Times - Tech

So the power grid goes down, and once that happens you're losing so much of technology.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grid down", consider your audience. In technical contexts, it's perfectly acceptable. For general audiences, consider alternatives like "power outage" or "blackout" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "grid down" always implies a widespread, regional issue. It can refer to localized failures as well. Be specific if you know the scale of the outage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grid down" functions primarily as a descriptive term, indicating the state of the electrical power grid being non-operational. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to describe power outages. It can also function as a noun phrase within larger sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grid down" is a concise way to describe a non-operational electrical power grid, effectively communicating a state of power outage or system failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While understood across various contexts, it's crucial to consider the audience and tailor language accordingly. In general conversations, consider more accessible alternatives, such as "power outage" or "blackout". Predominantly used in News & Media, and to a lesser extent in Science and Academia, the phrase carries a neutral tone. In essence, "grid down" serves as a straightforward descriptor for power system disruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Power outage

Replaces the phrase with a more common and general term for a loss of electrical power.

Loss of power

A simple and direct way to describe the situation.

Blackout

Implies a widespread power outage affecting a large area.

Power grid failure

More precisely identifies what failed.

Electrical failure

Uses more technical language to describe the event.

System collapse

Emphasizes the failure of the entire electrical system, not just a localized outage.

Energy grid disruption

Emphasizes the disruption caused by the power loss.

Utility outage

Focuses on the utility company's inability to provide power.

Mains failure

A term more commonly used in British English.

Power supply interruption

A formal and technical way to refer to the event.

FAQs

What does "grid down" mean?

The phrase "grid down" refers to a state where the electrical power grid is not functioning, resulting in a "power outage".

Is it correct to say "the grid is down"?

Yes, the phrase "the grid is down" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a situation where the electrical power grid is not operational.

What can I say instead of "grid down"?

Alternatives to "grid down" include "power outage", "blackout", "electrical failure", or "loss of power", depending on the context.

How serious is it when the grid goes down?

The severity of a "grid down" situation depends on its scale and duration. It can range from a minor inconvenience to a major crisis affecting essential services and infrastructure.