is not working properly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not working properly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not functioning as intended. For example: "The dishwasher is not working properly; it's been making strange noises all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Substitutions may be made if file is not working properly.

Cornell University

Press regulation is not working properly, she argues.

The Guardian

But the prison system is not working properly.

The Guardian

Apparently machine is not working properly". Citation: Haas, Mary R. (researcher).

University of California, Berkeley

"If security is not working properly," she said, "we shut down the affected area".

The New York Times

If a single screw is not working properly, the entire mechanism will ground to a halt".

The Guardian - Books

What do you do, however, when your drill is not working properly?

The New York Times

"Surely the case has been overwhelmingly proven … it's broken, it is not working properly, it needs fixing now".

The Guardian

My right brake is not working properly, so we have to take the bike apart and locate the problem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One collects blood from the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber, which is not working properly.

The New York Times

Sometimes a natural heart valve that is not working properly needs to be replaced surgically with a prosthetic valve.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the issue, be specific about what "is not working properly". Provide details about the symptoms or observed behavior to give a clearer picture of the problem.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the generic phrase "is not working properly" without explaining the nature of the problem. Instead, elaborate on the specific malfunction or issue to provide useful context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not working properly" acts as a predicate, describing the state of a subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and can be used to describe something that is not functioning as intended. Ludwig provides various examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not working properly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a malfunctioning entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to technical documentation. To enhance clarity, it's recommended to specify the nature of the malfunction, rather than relying solely on this generic phrase. While alternatives like "is malfunctioning" or "is defective" offer more concise options, the original phrase remains a versatile choice for conveying a problem. Its prevalence across diverse sources underscores its reliability and general acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is malfunctioning

Replaces the phrase with a single word indicating a failure to function correctly.

is not functioning correctly

Substitutes "working" and "properly" with synonyms, emphasizing the lack of correct function.

is operating incorrectly

Uses "operating" instead of "working", highlighting the process of incorrect operation.

is defective

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective signifying a flaw or imperfection causing malfunction.

is out of order

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is temporarily not functioning.

is broken

A simple and direct term meaning that something is not in working condition.

is impaired

Suggests that something's functionality is diminished but not necessarily completely non-functional.

is amiss

Indicates that something is wrong or out of place in the functionality.

fails to function

Replaces "is not working properly" with a more formal expression focusing on the lack of function.

does not work as expected

Highlights the difference between the actual and intended functionality.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not working properly"?

You can use alternatives like "is malfunctioning", "is not functioning correctly", or "is defective" depending on the context.

What does it mean when something "is not working properly"?

It means that something is not functioning as intended or is exhibiting some form of malfunction. The specific issue will vary depending on what "is not working properly."

Is it grammatically correct to say "is not working properly"?

Yes, the phrase "is not working properly" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something that isn't functioning as expected.

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

"Is not working properly" suggests a malfunction that may be fixable, while "is broken" often implies a more severe state of damage or non-functionality.