machine has malfunctioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "machine has malfunctioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a machine is not functioning properly or has stopped working as intended. Example: "The technician reported that the machine has malfunctioned and needs immediate repair."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But because the night was so cold, the machine had malfunctioned.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A state investigator concluded that even if the machine had malfunctioned, she should have stopped the test.

The New York Times

Senator J. P. Morrell, another New Orleans lawyer and a Democrat, voted for the bill and later said that he had not been present for the vote and that his machine had malfunctioned.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said officials were trying to determine how many machines had malfunctioned.

The New York Times

To try to settle the question, a government audit tried to test whether the machines had malfunctioned.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cameron Quinn, general registrar for the Fairfax County Office of Elections, said she was aware of two instances in which voters claimed machines had malfunctioned.

The Washington Post

Mr. Del Giorno said there were additional paper ballots to be counted, including ones used after machines had malfunctioned.

The New York Times

At a hearing this morning before the canvassing board, it became clear that the Democrats will also argue that Palm Beach County's 30-year-old Votomatic polling machines had malfunctioned in some precincts on Election Day.

The New York Times

The next day, state election officials advised the board that they did not have the authority to conduct a full count because there was no evidence that the polling booths or counting machines had malfunctioned.

The New York Times

Voting in a section of southeastern Queens was disrupted yesterday when poll workers discovered that all the machines had malfunctioned in the same way: the levers for Charles E. Schumer and Eliot L. Spitzer, the Democrats in the tightest statewide races, were disabled.

The New York Times

"Because there is no permanent, independent physical record that can be used to audit the DRE, either in random audits or following an accusation that the machine has been tampered with or has malfunctioned," the plaintiffs wrote, "there can be no assurance that either the Petitioners' votes or the votes of any other Pennsylvania voter have been properly counted or weighted".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a technical issue, be specific about the type of malfunction. For example, instead of "The machine has malfunctioned", specify "The cooling system has malfunctioned".

Common error

Avoid vague statements about machines malfunctioning. Instead, detail the exact symptoms or error messages, which provides more actionable information for troubleshooting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "machine has malfunctioned" serves as a statement indicating that a machine is not operating correctly. Based on Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and is typically used to report a functional issue.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "machine has malfunctioned" is a grammatically correct way to report a technical issue with a machine. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's clear and accurate, remember to provide specific details about the malfunction for better context and troubleshooting. Consider using simpler alternatives in casual settings. While recognized as correct, consider the multiple examples Ludwig AI found where alternative phrases have been used instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the machine broke down

Uses a simpler verb phrase to indicate cessation of function.

the system is malfunctioning

Uses the continuous tense to describe an ongoing issue.

the device stopped working

Employs more general terms 'device' and 'stopped working'.

there is a malfunction in the machine

Rephrases as an existential statement about the presence of a malfunction.

the equipment is out of order

Focuses on the state of being unusable.

the machine isn't functioning properly

Emphasizes the improper functioning rather than a complete failure.

the apparatus is defective

Indicates an inherent flaw in the machine.

the mechanism failed

Uses a more technical term 'mechanism' and the verb 'failed'.

the machinery is not operational

Highlights the lack of operational status.

the unit is non-responsive

Suggests the machine is not reacting to inputs or commands.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "machine has malfunctioned" to sound more technical?

Consider using terms like "experienced a critical failure", "exhibited anomalous behavior", or "deviated from operational parameters" depending on the nature of the "machine has malfunctioned".

What's a simpler way to say "machine has malfunctioned"?

You can say "the machine broke down", "it stopped working", or "it's out of order" instead of saying that the "machine has malfunctioned".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "machine has malfunctioned"?

The phrase is appropriate in technical reports, incident logs, or when formally documenting equipment issues. However, casual conversations may benefit from simpler phrasing than saying that the "machine has malfunctioned".

Is "machine has malfunctioned" grammatically correct?

Yes, "machine has malfunctioned" is grammatically correct, indicating that a machine's function has been disrupted. However, it might be better to specify which component has malfunctioned rather than say the "machine has malfunctioned".