machine is broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'machine is broken' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a physical machine not working correctly. Example: The washing machine is broken, so I'll have to take it to the repair shop.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

One machine is broken.

The Guardian - Tech

YOUNG WOMAN: Today our machine is broken.

The New Yorker

Your rewinding machine is broken!

The New Yorker

My coffee machine is broken.

The Washington Post

"Our machine is broken and we can't afford to fix it," he said.

The Guardian

Make a five-hour, intensely moving meditation about a groundsman whose line-marking machine is broken.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"We thought our machine was broken".

The New York Times

I thought the machine was broken.

The Washington Post

Or to the pit boss, or the machine being broken?

The New Yorker

The doctor who first took it thought the machine was broken and did it again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The most common line was that the invoice machine was broken.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting that a "machine is broken", be specific about the type of machine and, if known, the nature of the problem. This helps in clear communication and facilitates quicker resolution.

Common error

Avoid simply stating a "machine is broken" without providing context. Instead, specify what the machine is and why it is not working. For instance, say "the printer is broken because it's jammed" instead of just "the machine is broken".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "machine is broken" functions as a statement expressing that a device or piece of equipment is not in working order. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's a simple declarative sentence indicating a state of malfunction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "machine is broken" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a machine is not functioning properly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in News & Media and other varied source types. While simple, effective communication suggests providing specific details about the machine and the nature of the problem, avoiding vague language for clarity. Using alternatives such as "machine isn't working" or "machine is out of order" can add variety, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

machine isn't working

Rephrases the broken state using the verb "working".

machine has malfunctioned

Uses a more formal term, "malfunctioned", to describe the problem.

machine is out of order

Employs a standard phrase indicating the machine is not operational.

machine is defective

Indicates the machine has an inherent flaw causing it not to work.

machine is non-functional

Uses a more technical term, stating the machine lacks functionality.

machine requires repair

Focuses on the need for fixing the machine.

machine is not operational

Formally states that the machine cannot be operated.

machine is down

Informally indicates the machine is not running or available.

machine has stopped working

Highlights that the machine was previously functional but no longer is.

machine is kaput

Uses an informal, slang term to describe a machine that is completely broken.

FAQs

How to use "machine is broken" in a sentence?

You can use "machine is broken" in a sentence to indicate that a particular machine is not functioning correctly. For example, "The coffee machine is broken, so we'll have to get coffee elsewhere."

What can I say instead of "machine is broken"?

You can use alternatives like "machine isn't working", "machine is out of order", or "machine has malfunctioned" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "machine is broke" instead of "machine is broken"?

While "machine is broke" might be used in some informal contexts, "machine is broken" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase.

What's the difference between "machine is broken" and "machine is damaged"?

"Machine is broken" typically implies that the machine is not working, while "machine is damaged" suggests there's physical harm, which may or may not prevent it from working. A machine could be damaged but still functional, but if a "machine is broken", it is generally understood to be non-operational.