it was defective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was defective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an item or product that is not functioning properly or has a flaw. Example: "After testing the new gadget, I realized it was defective and needed to be returned for a replacement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Matthew claimed it was defective.

The New Yorker

So I took a yeast mutant that couldn't divide because it was defective in the controlling gene.

The New York Times - Science

One time, Bruno told a customer that he couldn't return an ultrasonic rodent deterrent unless it was defective.

The New York Times

"If there was a product that came in from Asia and it was defective, we stood behind it.

The New York Times

The car's owner, a Mr Chen, claimed it was defective, despite damage that looked suspiciously like the result of a head-on collision.

The Economist

The point, he said, was not whether people had the choice to smoke or not to smoke, but that the companies knew they were selling a defective product and denied that it was defective.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Recall Korsgaard's artifactual analogy: a chair is something you sit on, and so a chair is defective when you can't sit on it — and of course it's defective as a whole, because its job, as a whole chair, is to be a seat.

SEP

The caveat to these data is that the rom2 ∆ mutant has more cell cell association defects than wsc1 ∆ and, unlike the sensor mutant, it is defective for invasive growth.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

"Now it's defective," he announced.

The New York Times

Insofar as a conception of the good does not encompass these experiences, it is defective, even delusive".

The New York Times - Books

When a reading cannot be obtained from a meter -- either because it is defective or the meter reader could not gain access to it -- the city will send out an estimated bill, Mr. O'Kelly said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was defective", ensure you provide context about what "it" refers to, making your writing clear and easily understandable.

Common error

While "it was defective" is perfectly acceptable, try to incorporate synonyms like "faulty" or "malfunctioning" to make your writing more dynamic and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was defective" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, where "it" is the subject, "was" is the linking verb, and "defective" is the adjective describing the subject's condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was defective" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to communicate that something has a flaw or is not functioning correctly. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is considered uncommon in frequency. The phrase is most often found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. To avoid repetition, you can consider alternatives such as "it was faulty" or "it malfunctioned". When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, providing a more specific and clear understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had a defect

Replaces the adjective "defective" with the noun "defect", altering the sentence structure.

it was faulty

Substitutes "defective" with the synonym "faulty", maintaining similar meaning.

it didn't work properly

Expresses the defect in terms of functionality rather than inherent flaws.

it was broken

Indicates a state of being non-functional due to damage or a defect.

it malfunctioned

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

it wasn't functioning

Focuses on the lack of functionality as a result of the defect.

it was out of order

Indicates that the item is not currently functioning, implying a defect.

it failed to work

Emphasizes the failure in performance due to the defect.

it had a problem

Uses a more general term, "problem", to describe the defect.

it was impaired

Suggests that the item's functionality was weakened or damaged.

FAQs

What does "it was defective" mean?

The phrase "it was defective" means that something had a flaw or imperfection that prevented it from working correctly or as intended.

What can I say instead of "it was defective"?

You can use alternatives like "it was faulty", "it malfunctioned", or "it was broken" depending on the specific context.

How to use "it was defective" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The product I received "it was defective", so I returned it for a replacement."

Is "it was defective" formal or informal?

"It was defective" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, more precise terms like "malfunctioning" or "non-compliant" may be preferred.