malfunctioning conduct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malfunctioning conduct" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing behavior that is not functioning as intended, particularly in technical or psychological discussions. Example: "The malfunctioning conduct of the system led to unexpected errors during the operation."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2018 the machines Palm Beach County used to conduct its recount malfunctioned, and it wasn't able to submit recount results in time to the state.

HuffPost

An economic evaluation of rt-PA versus heparin in the primary prevention of catheter malfunction will also be conducted.

BMC Nephrology

Well, as a detailed report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) explains, the pilot's headset was malfunctioning so he asked his second-in-command to conduct the pre-flight cockpit inspections and preparation procedures.

Vice

But concerns have been growing that in a close election those machines give election workers no legitimate way to conduct a recount or to check for malfunctions or fraud.

The New York Times

But concerns have been growing that in a close election the paperless machines give election workers no legitimate method to conduct a recount or to check for malfunctions or fraud.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Husted said he sees the commission as a way for state officials to tell the federal government ways they can help states conduct elections, including providing more funding for voting machines, which malfunctioned in multiple places on Election Day.

The Washington Post

He conducted the first scientific experiments in orbit, in a cramped, malfunctioning capsule against an overly ambitious mission schedule.

BBC

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

Of these, five survey files were corrupted by viruses or lost due to computer malfunction; thus the analysis was conducted with 302 total records.

BMC Medical Education

Malfunctioning computers?

The New York Times

V. Dixon: Organ malfunctioning?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "malfunctioning conduct", ensure the context clearly establishes what the expected or proper conduct should be. The phrase is best suited for technical or psychological discussions where behavior is assessed against a functional standard.

Common error

Avoid using "malfunctioning conduct" in general situations where simpler terms like "improper behavior" or "misconduct" would suffice. The phrase's technical connotation can sound awkward in non-technical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malfunctioning conduct" functions as a descriptive term, where "malfunctioning" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "conduct". It denotes a state where behavior or actions are not operating correctly or as intended. According to Ludwig, it is not a commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malfunctioning conduct" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes behavior not working as intended. While not commonly used, it is best suited for technical or psychological contexts where a functional standard is being assessed. Ludwig indicates it may sound awkward in non-technical situations, and that other related phrases might be better suited. Consider alternatives like "improper behavior" or "faulty actions" for broader applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improper behavior

Replaces "malfunctioning" with a more general term for incorrect actions.

faulty actions

Emphasizes the flawed nature of the actions being described.

defective behavior

Highlights the presence of a defect causing the improper actions.

non-functional behavior

Focuses on the lack of proper function in the behavior.

irregular conduct

Suggests a deviation from standard or expected behavior.

erroneous actions

Emphasizes the error or mistake in the actions.

abnormal behavior

Indicates that the conduct deviates from what is considered normal.

dysfunctional behavior

Highlights the inability of the behavior to achieve its intended purpose.

unacceptable actions

Focuses on the impropriety and unsuitability of the conduct.

flawed performance

Indicates the presence of flaws that undermine the performance of the behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "malfunctioning conduct" in a sentence?

While not commonly used, "malfunctioning conduct" can describe behavior that isn't functioning as intended. For instance, "The malfunctioning conduct of the system led to unexpected errors during the operation."

What are some alternatives to "malfunctioning conduct"?

You can use alternatives such as "improper behavior", "faulty actions", or "defective behavior" depending on the specific context.

Is "malfunctioning conduct" grammatically correct?

Yes, "malfunctioning conduct" is grammatically correct, but it's not a common phrase. It's best used in specific contexts where the term "malfunctioning" is appropriate, such as technical or psychological discussions.

What does "malfunctioning conduct" imply?

The phrase implies that the conduct is not working as it should, indicating a problem or defect in how someone or something is behaving or performing. This is similar to how a machine might malfunction.