not functioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not functioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not working or operating as intended, such as a device, system, or process. Example: "The printer is not functioning, so we need to troubleshoot the issue before we can print the documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is still not functioning.

The Guardian

We are not functioning at all".

The New York Times

The hospitals were not functioning.

Stanford University

"We have no GPS, it's not functioning".

The Guardian

They are not functioning properly now.

The Guardian

The perfect lineup is not functioning perfectly.

The New York Times

There were other Kelly fountains that were not functioning.

The New Yorker

"We are not functioning anymore," Lt. Pavel Kankrelidze said.

The New York Times

Like Moses said, most cell-phone towers are not functioning.

The New Yorker

Workflows were not functioning in Sharepoint On-Premise site collections.

Cornell University

A device implanted in her heart was not functioning.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "not functioning". In technical documents or formal reports, more precise terms like "inoperative" or "malfunctioning" may be preferable. In casual conversation, "not working" may be sufficient.

Common error

While "not functioning" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "not working" or "broken" would sound more natural. Choose language appropriate for the setting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not functioning" serves as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is not operating correctly or is out of service. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not functioning" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe something that is not operating as intended. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It's commonly found in news, academic, and formal business contexts. While "not functioning" is broadly acceptable, consider simpler alternatives like ""not working"" in informal settings. Remember to use precise language, especially in technical or formal documents. The phrase's high frequency and authoritative sources underscore its reliability and importance in clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of order

Replaces "not functioning" with a more direct term, often used for machines or systems that are temporarily unusable.

inoperative

A more formal synonym for "not functioning", implying a complete cessation of operation.

malfunctioning

Suggests that something is "not functioning" due to an internal fault or error.

non-operational

Similar to "inoperative" but often used in technical or military contexts.

not working

A simple and informal way to express that something is "not functioning".

defective

Implies that something is "not functioning" because of a manufacturing or design flaw.

broken down

Suggests a complete failure of operation, often used for machinery or vehicles.

impaired

Indicates that something is "not functioning" at its full capacity or effectiveness.

kaput

An informal and somewhat humorous way to say that something is "not functioning" or is completely broken.

unserviceable

Often used to describe equipment or systems that are "not functioning" and cannot be used.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "not functioning"?

You can use alternatives like "out of order", "inoperative", or "not working" depending on the context.

How to use "not functioning" in a sentence?

You can use "not functioning" to describe something that isn't operating correctly. For example: "The equipment is not functioning properly" or "The system is currently not functioning."

What's the difference between "not functioning" and "malfunctioning"?

"Not functioning" is a general term for something that isn't working. "Malfunctioning" implies that something is "not functioning" because of a specific fault or defect.

Is it correct to say "not functioning properly"?

Yes, it's correct. "Not functioning properly" means something is working, but not as it should. It suggests a partial or degraded functionality.