has been defective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been defective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item or product that has had issues or faults over a period of time, typically in a formal or technical context. Example: "The equipment has been defective since it was first installed, causing delays in our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Our own poll (see chart) suggests that many voters do not think the president's response has been defective.

The Economist

Desktop interaction is Pownce's Achilles heal; the Pownce Desktop AIR client has been defective from day one.

TechCrunch

The London Fire Service has given Southwark Council 10 days to fix up a fire door in Brydale House that has been defective for years.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Though some of the machines may have been defective, it appears that most of the problems were caused by improperly trained workers and by voter confusion.

The New York Times

Thus in Gray, supra, 372 U.S., at 381 n. 12, 83 S.Ct., at 809, we hold that the county-unit system would have been defective even if unit votes were allocated strictly in proportion to population.

Cornell University

That would be a serious problem for the commission, where officials still harbor painful memories of losing a string of appeals against blocked mergers early in the past decade after the European Court of Justice ruled that those decisions had been defective.

The New York Times

The valve-cover gaskets may have allowed oil into the spark-plug wells and the wiper-motor bracket seals may have been defective, causing water to enter the engine compartment and sit in the spark-plug wells, both of which would require new coils.

The New York Times

Merck & Company said on Friday that an unknown number of people in as many as 27 nations, including 60,000 youngsters in Brazil, might need new shots to prevent infection with the hepatitis A virus because vaccines they received might have been defective.

The New York Times

The family of a child who was critically injured after receiving an electrical shock at MGM National Harbor has sued the casino, asserting that the lighted handrail the girl grasped before she was hurt had been defective for days and should have been repaired earlier.

The Washington Post

There was such a loud hissing I thought they might have been defective.

TechCrunch

Those mouse embryos developed extra digits, just as an embryo would have if the enhancers' target gene, Gli3, itself had been defective, he reported at the meeting.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a recurring issue, use "has been defective" to emphasize that the problem is not new. For instance: "The software has been defective since the last update."

Common error

Avoid using "has been defective" without providing context or details. Instead of saying "The product has been defective", specify the nature of the defect to provide clarity and actionable information. For example, "The product has been defective, specifically the power cord is frayed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been defective" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something has consistently exhibited flaws or malfunctions over a period. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and can be used to describe recurring issues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been defective" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing items or processes that have exhibited ongoing flaws. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds relevance in news, scientific, and academic writing. For alternatives, consider phrases like "has been faulty" or "has been malfunctioning" to convey similar meanings. When using this phrase, be specific about the nature of the defect to provide clarity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been faulty

Replaces 'defective' with 'faulty', indicating a flaw or imperfection.

has been flawed

Indicates the existence of inherent imperfections.

has been malfunctioning

Replaces 'defective' with 'malfunctioning', focusing on the incorrect operation.

has been deficient

Highlights a lack or shortage in something's required quality.

has been out of order

Indicates that something is not currently working correctly.

has been impaired

Implies that something's functionality has been weakened or damaged.

has been compromised

Suggests the integrity or quality has been negatively affected.

has been broken

Suggests that something is no longer in working condition.

has been sub-par

Indicates something is below the expected standard.

has been unsound

Suggests a lack of structural integrity or reliability.

FAQs

How can I use "has been defective" in a sentence?

You can use "has been defective" to describe an item or system that has consistently shown faults over time. For example: "The braking system "has been defective" since installation, requiring frequent repairs".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "has been defective"?

Alternatives include "has been faulty", "has been malfunctioning", or "has been out of order", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has been defective" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been defective" is suitable for formal contexts, particularly in technical or professional reports. It clearly indicates a persistent issue. For less formal scenarios, consider alternatives like "has been faulty".

What's the difference between "has been defective" and "is defective"?

"Has been defective" implies a problem that has persisted over time, whereas "is defective" suggests a current state of being flawed. For example: "The device "has been defective" for weeks" indicates an ongoing issue, while "The device "is defective"" simply states it's currently not working correctly.