is not functioning well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is not functioning well' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a thing or person that isn't working as expected. For example, "My printer is not functioning well; it keeps jamming the paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"The market is not functioning well in the sense that it is bouncing up and down by about 10 basis points each day on very ephemeral news," said James R. Capra, a senior vice president at Shearson Lehman Government Securities.

The New York Times

"There is great consensus that the health-care system in the U.S. is not functioning well," says David Lansky, senior director of the Health Program at the Markle Foundation in New York City.

MIT Technology Review

In an economy where the financial system is not functioning well, where small- and medium-size enterprises can't get access to credit, the troika is demanding that Greek firms, including mom and pop stores, pay all of their taxes ahead of time, at the beginning of the year, before they have earned it, before they even know what their income is going to be.

The New York Times

Perhaps a violation of a requirement of instrumental coherence is merely an indicator that an agent is not functioning well in the exercise of her rational capacities, where this evaluation doesn't entail that she ought, or has reason, to be instrumentally coherent on any particular occasion (see Raz 2005a,b).

SEP

Another version of this view (§3.3.2) holds that instrumental incoherence is nothing more than an indicator that one is not functioning well as an agent, where this evaluation doesn't entail any particular conclusions about what one ought, or has reason, to do.

SEP

My stomach is not functioning well either," Mitsuru Yoshiaki, 55, told the Mainichi Shimbun after being taken off a respirator.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He's not functioning well.' She knew school wasn't going to fix it.

The Guardian - Music

She is recovering in a hospital, but her kidneys are not functioning well.

The Washington Post

When the drug agency investigated, it said Mr. Gelsinger should never have been treated, because his liver was not functioning well enough before doctors gave him the infusion.

The New York Times

Sometimes it was hard to watch them moving, because when my ears were not functioning well, I relied on my eyes.

The New York Times

In a letter to the department's faculty last week, Dr. Gordon said that the department was "not functioning well" and that he would begin a formal inquiry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not functioning well", be specific about what aspect is not working as expected. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is not functioning well" as a blanket statement without providing specific details about the problem. Instead of saying "the system is not functioning well", specify which part of the system is having issues and how it is affecting performance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not functioning well" serves as a descriptive phrase indicating that something is not operating as intended or is experiencing problems. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression. Examples show its use in describing systems, health, and markets.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not functioning well" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that isn't working as intended, according to Ludwig AI. It's commonly used across News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, as seen by Ludwig's examples. While "is not functioning well" has a neutral register, specifying what and how something isn't working is crucial for clarity. Alternatives like "is not operating effectively" or "is underperforming" can add nuance, as can being more specific instead of using blanket statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not operating effectively

Emphasizes the lack of efficiency in the operation of something.

is not working properly

A general alternative, indicating a malfunction or defect.

is underperforming

Focuses on the substandard performance compared to expectations.

is not up to par

Indicates that something does not meet the required standard or quality.

is malfunctioning

Highlights a specific issue or fault in the function.

is out of order

Suggests the item is temporarily unusable due to a defect.

is impaired

Focuses on the reduction in capability or effectiveness.

is deficient

Highlights a lack or shortage in functionality.

is failing

Emphasizes a progressive decline or impending breakdown.

is in disrepair

Suggests a state of neglect or deterioration that affects function.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not functioning well"?

Consider alternatives such as "is not operating effectively", "is not working properly", or "is underperforming", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "is not functioning well"?

It means that something isn't working as intended or is experiencing issues that prevent it from operating at its full capacity. This could apply to a physical object, a system, or even an aspect of a person's health or ability.

Is it appropriate to use "is not functioning well" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "is not functioning well" is appropriate in formal writing, but strive to be as specific as possible about the nature of the problem. More formal synonyms might also be considered depending on the context.

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

"Is broken" implies a complete cessation of function, while "is not functioning well" suggests that there's still some degree of operation, albeit at a reduced or impaired level. For example, a car with a flat tire "is not functioning well", but a car with a shattered engine "is broken".