not functioning well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not functioning well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not operating effectively or as intended. Example: "The machine has been not functioning well lately, causing delays in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

He's not functioning well.' She knew school wasn't going to fix it.

The Guardian - Music

She is recovering in a hospital, but her kidneys are not functioning well.

The Washington Post

Among the 40,000 evaluated, 800 were at least moderately depressed and reported not functioning well academically or socially.

The New York Times

In some cases, however, when they are not functioning well, they run the risk of becoming institutions of censorship.

The New York Times

When the drug agency investigated, it said Mr. Gelsinger should never have been treated, because his liver was not functioning well enough before doctors gave him the infusion.

The New York Times

Sometimes it was hard to watch them moving, because when my ears were not functioning well, I relied on my eyes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Some of them, however, now live with heart failure a heart that does not function well.

Harvard University

And for that reason Marxism does not function well in analyzing real companies in real markets.

Yale University

Without good regulations, markets do not provide the benefits they can, indeed, do not function well at all.

The New York Times

But it has not functioned well for the currency union: financial markets no longer believe in voluntary rule-following.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This does not function well for the community and library needs of North Beach".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not functioning well", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not functioning well. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "not functioning well" without specifying the subject. For example, instead of saying "Things are not functioning well", clarify with "The healthcare system is not functioning well".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not functioning well" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the state or condition of something not operating effectively. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not functioning well" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is not operating effectively or as intended. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is "not functioning well". Alternatives such as "not operating correctly" or "malfunctioning" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. By being precise and context-aware, you can effectively communicate issues and areas needing improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not operating correctly

Replaces "functioning" with "operating" and "well" with "correctly", focusing on the correctness of the operation.

not working properly

Substitutes "functioning" with "working" and "well" with "properly", emphasizing the functionality aspect.

not performing adequately

Replaces "functioning well" with "performing adequately", highlighting the performance level.

not up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that something is below the expected standard.

malfunctioning

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word indicating that something is not working as intended.

not in good working order

Emphasizes the condition or state of being operational.

not running smoothly

Focuses on the smoothness of the operation.

impaired functionality

Rephrases as a noun phrase describing the state of reduced functionality.

suboptimal performance

Uses technical terms to describe less than ideal performance.

out of order

A simple and direct way to say that something isn't working.

FAQs

How can I use "not functioning well" in a sentence?

You can use "not functioning well" to describe anything that isn't working as it should. For instance, "The computer is "not functioning well" since the last update" or "The government is "not functioning well" due to the political crisis".

What are some alternatives to "not functioning well"?

Alternatives include "not operating correctly", "not working properly", or "malfunctioning" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not functioning well" or "functioning poorly"?

"Not functioning well" and "functioning poorly" are both acceptable. "Functioning poorly" may sound slightly more formal, but the choice often depends on personal preference and the overall tone of the writing.

What does it mean when something is described as "not functioning well"?

When something is described as "not functioning well", it means it's not operating as intended or expected. This could be due to various reasons, such as technical issues, mismanagement, or external factors.