not in service

USAGE SUMMARY

"not in service" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an item, vehicle, or service that is temporarily unavailable. For example, "The bus line is not in service due to inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Another number was not in service.

The New York Times

I called back, but the phone was not in service.

The New York Times

Engines capable of hauling long trains were not in service.

Cornell University

"It just sits there even though it's not in service.

The New York Times

The bus's direction indicator read "Not in service".

The New York Times

I try his number and get the watery tones of the "not in service" flute.

The New Yorker

A number for Presidio Advisers in Denver was not in service yesterday.

The New York Times

The front of the bus declares in bright lights: "NOT IN SERVICE".

The Guardian - Opinion

I called it, and a recording said it was not in service.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Numbers for the Laulicht family were answered with not-in-service recorded messages.

The New York Times

One yielded a not-in-service message and the other went unanswered for several days in a row.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using the phrase to describe scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, failures, downtimes of any kind of service, hardware of software.

Common error

Avoid using "not in service" when the item or service has been permanently discontinued. Instead, use phrases like "discontinued" or "retired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in service" functions as a descriptive phrase, primarily used to indicate that a particular item, system, or service is temporarily unavailable or non-operational. Ludwig confirms that this is a valid and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not in service" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the temporary unavailability of an item, system, or service. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. It's suitable for neutral and professional communication, serving primarily to inform or notify about a temporary disruption. While alternatives like "out of commission" or "unavailable" exist, "not in service" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of commission

Replaces "not in service" with a more concise and direct term, implying a temporary or permanent state of non-functionality.

out of operation

Similar to "out of commission", but emphasizes the cessation of operational activities.

not operational

Directly states that something is not functioning as intended.

unavailable

A general term indicating that something cannot be used or accessed.

non-functional

Directly describes the state of not working or being able to perform its intended function.

offline

Specifically suggests that a system or device is disconnected or not running.

down for maintenance

Indicates a planned period of unavailability for repairs or updates.

temporarily suspended

Suggests a pause in service or operation, with the expectation of resumption.

under repair

Implies that something is currently being fixed and is therefore unavailable.

inactive

Suggests a dormant state, not currently performing any function.

FAQs

How can I use "not in service" in a sentence?

You can use "not in service" to indicate that something is temporarily unavailable, for example, "The elevator is "not in service" due to maintenance".

What's the difference between "not in service" and "out of order"?

"Not in service" is generally used for scheduled unavailability or temporary disruptions, whereas "out of order" typically implies a malfunction or breakdown.

What can I say instead of "not in service"?

Alternatives include "out of commission", "unavailable", or "down for maintenance", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "not in service"?

Yes, "not in service" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that is temporarily unavailable or not functioning.