looks faulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks faulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that appears to be defective or not functioning properly. Example: "After examining the device, it looks faulty and may need to be repaired or replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It looks faulty now, with Wallace (38) lost to a season-ending foot operation, Kidd (39) slowing down and Camby (38) a minor factor because of foot troubles.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His Fox News Channel has enraged liberals and piled up profits.The coups continue, but the judgment looks increasingly faulty.

The Economist

Sasaki said the government had asked the firm to look into faulty brakes on the Prius petrol-electric last August.

The Guardian - Business

One established an independent scientific commission to look into faulty forensic practices that can produce unreliable evidence in criminal trials.

The New Yorker

And it subsequently turned out the absence of urgency among policy makers was largely a result of looking at faulty data".

The New York Times

Yet got up for a big fight, they look like faulty robots: faces caged in behind their bright helmets, hands made clumsy by their swollen gloves, speech slurred by gumshields.

The Guardian

This is how the Guardian's science correspondent Ian Sample described the research: The study, the largest ever to look for faulty DNA that drives the cancers, revealed scores of genetic markers that can identify people most likely to develop the diseases at some point in their lives.

The Guardian

Look what faulty batteries did to the hoverboard craze.

TechCrunch

The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, said that when its engineers looked inside a faulty switchboard, they found burn marks and the rodent's scorched body.

The New York Times

The study, the largest to look for the faulty DNA that drives the cancers, revealed scores of genetic markers that can identify people most likely to develop the diseases.

The Guardian

After inventory issues, faulty speakers, and reports of connectivity woes, it looks like the 5800 might be returning to the shelves soon.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a device or system, be specific about what aspect of it "looks faulty". For example, instead of "the system looks faulty", say "the display looks faulty" or "the power supply looks faulty".

Common error

While "looks faulty" is clear, in formal contexts, consider more precise terms like "appears defective" or "exhibits signs of malfunction" to enhance professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks faulty" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It describes the apparent condition of something, indicating that it seems to be defective or malfunctioning. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks faulty" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that appears to be defective. Though relatively rare in occurrence, as pointed out by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While acceptable, using more precise and formal alternatives like "appears defective" may be preferable in professional settings. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase clearly communicates a perceived issue and can prompt further action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears defective

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "faulty" with "defective", maintaining a similar level of formality.

seems defective

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "faulty" with "defective", emphasizing a perceived issue.

appears to be malfunctioning

Replaces "faulty" with a more detailed description of the problem, highlighting a functional issue.

seems to be broken

Uses a more informal term, "broken", instead of "faulty", suggesting a clear lack of functionality.

looks like it's not working

Offers a simpler, more direct explanation of the problem, suitable for casual contexts.

gives the impression of being faulty

Emphasizes the impression or perception of the fault, adding a layer of subjectivity.

presents as defective

Uses "presents as" to indicate how the object appears, suggesting a more formal observation.

exhibits signs of malfunction

Uses a more technical vocabulary to indicate observable signs of a problem.

appears to have a problem

Generalizes the issue to "a problem", which is less specific than "faulty".

seems to have a defect

Replaces "faulty" with the noun "defect", focusing on an inherent flaw.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "looks faulty"?

When something "looks faulty", it means that it appears to be defective or not functioning correctly based on visual inspection or initial observation.

What can I say instead of "looks faulty"?

You can use alternatives like "appears defective", "seems defective", or "appears to be malfunctioning" depending on the context.

How do I use "looks faulty" in a sentence?

You can say, "After inspecting the device, it "looks faulty" and may need repair." Or, "The wiring "looks faulty", so we should call an electrician."

Is it appropriate to use "looks faulty" in a formal report?

While understandable, "looks faulty" might be too informal for a formal report. Consider using more precise and professional terms like "exhibits signs of malfunction" or "appears to have a defect".