is not functional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not functional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not working or not operating as intended. Example: "The old printer is not functional, so we need to replace it with a new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not functional as a musical instrument.

The New York Times

It's there as a premises but it is not functional".

The Guardian

("Anything that is not functional is merely decorative," he declares).

The New York Times - Books

"But I don't know of anything in nature that's just laying around and is not functional".

The New York Times

These findings suggest that HE region is not functional in our LoADed PITCh system.

Nature

In contrast, Pcdh15a lacking the entire cytoplasmic domain is not functional.

Stanford University

The Governing Council as presently constituted is not functional and not adequately representative of the Iraqi people.

The New York Times

The Mach resource accounting mechanism is not functional in the current Mac OS X/Darwin system.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"And as a result," he added, "we have designed a system that is not functional for this fight".

The New York Times

We now have the human DNA sequence and the surprise is to find that most of it is not functional.

The Guardian - Books

"This model is not functional and we have paid a heavy price for it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, use "is not functional" to clearly indicate a problem with operation, rather than just stating it's "broken".

Common error

In casual conversation, avoid overly formal phrasing like "is not functional"; instead, opt for simpler alternatives such as "isn't working" or "is broken" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not functional" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys that something isn't working as intended. Examples show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not functional" is a versatile and frequently used expression to describe something that isn't working or operating as intended. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. As demonstrated by the examples provided, it commonly appears in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When writing, remember that while grammatically sound, this phrase may sound overly formal in casual conversation, where alternatives like "isn't working" or "is broken" might be more appropriate. The usage analysis underscores its common presence in authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for formal and technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not working

Focuses on the operational aspect, simply stating that something isn't in operation.

is non-operational

A more technical or formal synonym for "is not functional".

is inoperative

Emphasizes the lack of ability to operate.

does not function

A more formal way of saying something isn't working.

is out of order

Commonly used for equipment or systems that are temporarily unavailable.

is unusable

Indicates that something cannot be used for its intended purpose.

is broken

Indicates that something is damaged and not working.

is defective

Implies a flaw that prevents proper operation.

is impaired

Highlights a reduction in capability or effectiveness.

is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of desired results, rather than the ability to operate.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is not functional"?

When something "is not functional", it means that it's not working or operating correctly. It can refer to anything from a broken machine to a system that isn't performing its intended purpose.

What can I say instead of "is not functional"?

You can use alternatives like "is not working", "is inoperative", or "does not function" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is not functional"?

The phrase "is not functional" is suitable in formal, technical, or professional contexts where you need to clearly state that something isn't working as intended. It's less common in informal settings.

What's the difference between "is not functional" and "is broken"?

While both indicate something isn't working, "is not functional" is more formal and implies a problem with the intended operation or design. "is broken" suggests physical damage or a simpler malfunction.