has been malfunctioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been malfunctioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a device or system that has been experiencing issues or failures over a period of time. Example: "The printer has been malfunctioning for the past week, causing delays in our printing tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Technology journalists are, unsurprisingly, questioning whether Uber's radar for what constitutes "legitimate business" has been malfunctioning for some time.

The Guardian - Tech

Meanwhile, the engineers who are working to repair Spirit, which has been malfunctioning since Wednesday, reported progress Sunday.

The New York Times

The new crew's schedule calls for more maintenance work, including two spacewalks, and the repair of a Russian-built oxygen generator that has been malfunctioning for months.

The New York Times - Science

It has been malfunctioning much as usual on the mere wreckage of one since March 23rd, when President Boris Yeltsin sacked his prime minister, Viktor Chernomyrdin, and the cabinet with him.

The Economist

The docking began nine days of operations that will include installing the main component of a Japanese-made science module and repairing the station's sole toilet, which has been malfunctioning.

The New York Times

"We all have our ideas on how this has happened, there has been malfunctioning somewhere," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The seven-member crew also delivered replacement parts for the station's single toilet, which had been malfunctioning for a week before the shuttle arrived.

The New York Times

It was his wiring that had been malfunctioning and then somehow repaired by the episode in the doctor's waiting room.

The New York Times - Health

According to the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board, automatic train control circuits had been malfunctioning for years on the region's sprawling Metro system.

The New York Times

The construction work was overshadowed by a more urgent problem aboard the station: the need to repair the single toilet, which had been malfunctioning for a week before the shuttle arrived.

The New York Times - Science

The thief was able to take advantage of a flaw in the museum's alarm system, which had been malfunctioning for several weeks, leading to speculation that the thief may have had inside assistance.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been malfunctioning", specify the duration or frequency of the malfunction to provide context. For example, "The system has been malfunctioning intermittently for the past week".

Common error

While "has been malfunctioning" is accurate, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "has been failing" or "has been defective" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been malfunctioning" functions as the main verb phrase within a sentence. It describes the state of something not operating correctly over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been malfunctioning" is grammatically sound and describes a state of impaired functionality that has persisted over time. Ludwig AI confirms it is suitable for use in writing. While the phrase appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, it isn't very frequent. For improved readability, consider using synonyms like "has been failing" or "has been defective". It's important to provide context regarding the duration or frequency of the malfunction for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has not been working properly

States directly that the subject is not functioning as it should.

has been defective

Emphasizes a flaw or imperfection in design or manufacture.

has had a fault

Focuses on the existence of a specific fault or defect.

has been out of order

Indicates a temporary state of non-functionality, often implying repair is possible.

has been impaired

Suggests that the ability to function correctly has been diminished

has been failing

Suggests a gradual decline in performance or functionality.

has been acting up

Implies erratic or unpredictable behavior, often intermittent.

has been glitching

Indicates unexpected behavior, often in software or electronic systems.

has been on the blink

Suggests intermittent and unreliable functionality.

has been giving trouble

Highlights the inconvenience or problems caused by the malfunction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has been malfunctioning"?

Alternatives include "has been failing", "has been defective", or "has not been working properly" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "has been malfunctioning"?

It means that something hasn't been working correctly or as intended over a period of time. It suggests there's an issue or fault that affects its performance.

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

Yes, "has been malfunctioning" is suitable for formal writing. However, in some contexts, more technical terms might be preferred, especially in scientific or engineering reports.

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

"Has been malfunctioning" indicates that the problem started in the past and continues to the present, while "is malfunctioning" implies that the problem is happening right now. For example, "The equipment has been malfunctioning since yesterday," versus "The equipment is malfunctioning right now".