is malfunctioning

USAGE SUMMARY

"is malfunctioning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not functioning properly. For example: "The washing machine is malfunctioning and needs to be repaired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It probably doesn't help that the soundtrack is malfunctioning.

The Economist

— the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland is malfunctioning.

The New York Times

Virtually every arm of the state, from schools to tax-collection agencies, is malfunctioning.

The Economist

The guitar lead has broken; the microphone is malfunctioning; the monitors aren't giving off a sound.

Independent

Pressure is also building up within the reactor, but the release valve is malfunctioning, he said.

The Economist

ALMOST everyone agrees about one thing these days: Congress is malfunctioning.

The New York Times

If the photocopier is malfunctioning they will sigh heavily and imply that we have somehow sabotaged its workings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Far from being relaxed, I feel excruciatingly uncomfortable and begin to wonder if my jaw is malfunctioning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dr Dorigo's group has, for instance, developed a system to allow robots to detect when a swarm member is malfunctioning.

The Economist

Unemployment is at 24%, there is deep poverty in urban areas, welfare provision has been ruined, and the state is malfunctioning.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a palpable grumpiness among artists who do not make the cut and murmurs in the wider music industry that the fabled playlist is malfunctioning.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, be specific about what "is malfunctioning". Instead of saying "The system is malfunctioning", specify "The server is malfunctioning, causing slow response times."

Common error

While "is malfunctioning" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or critical reports. Opt for more precise language, such as "experiencing operational failure" or "exhibiting performance degradation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is malfunctioning" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically serving as the main verb or part of the verb phrase. It indicates the state of something not operating correctly, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is malfunctioning" is grammatically correct and very commonly used to describe something not working correctly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for many contexts, though more formal language may be preferred in scientific or highly critical reports. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific sources. When aiming for clarity, it is best practice to specify what exactly is malfunctioning, and it is essential to consider the audience when selecting the appropriate level of formality. You can consider using alternatives like "is not working properly" or "is failing to operate" to better express your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not functioning

A straightforward synonym using 'functioning' as the key term, directly stating the lack of proper operation.

is not working properly

This alternative replaces "malfunctioning" with a more general phrase, indicating a problem with functionality.

is failing to operate

This alternative replaces "malfunctioning" with a more formal expression, focusing on the failure of operation.

is out of order

This is a common idiom that directly indicates something is not functioning and requires repair.

has broken down

Implies a complete cessation of function, suggesting a more severe failure than simply 'malfunctioning'.

is defective

Describes a state of being inherently flawed, which causes it to not function correctly.

is acting up

A more informal way to describe erratic or unpredictable behavior in a system or device.

is impaired

Indicates that the function is weakened or diminished, but not necessarily completely non-operational.

is on the blink

An informal idiom meaning something is not working correctly and may soon stop working altogether.

is haywire

An informal term implying that something is wildly out of control and not functioning as expected.

FAQs

How to use "is malfunctioning" in a sentence?

The phrase "is malfunctioning" is used to describe something that is not working correctly. For example: "The equipment "is malfunctioning" and needs immediate repair".

What can I say instead of "is malfunctioning"?

You can use alternatives like "is not working properly", "is failing to operate", or "is out of order" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is malfunctioning" or "malfunctions"?

"Is malfunctioning" is the continuous form, suggesting an ongoing issue, while "malfunctions" is a simple present tense, implying a general tendency to fail or a scheduled check.

What's the difference between "is malfunctioning" and "is broken"?

"Is malfunctioning" suggests that something is not working as intended but might still be partially functional. "Is broken" implies that it has completely stopped working.