not operating correctly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not operating correctly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a malfunctioning device, system, or process. Example: "The printer is not operating correctly and needs to be repaired." Alternative expressions include "not functioning properly" and "not working as intended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I think in principle the system is ok and means far less "legwork ", but in practice, it's not operating correctly.

The Guardian

In the statement, Forever 21 mentioned that it implemented encryption and tokenization solutions in 2015, and therefore believes that the breach only involved certain POS devices in stores where the encryption on those devices was not operating correctly.

Harvard University

The pilot of the plane's next-to-last flight, in his entry into an electronic log, noted a variety of problems he had encountered, and speculated that the plane's speed trim system — the stabilizer functions used on the 737 NG and earlier versions — was not operating correctly.

The New York Times

We consider a section of a road where some nodes are not operating correctly and study the behavior of the nodes behind them (i.e., those that may be affected).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Lieutenant John Carr, the officer on duty in the CIC at the time of the grounding, concluded that radar equipment was likely not operating correctly.

Wikipedia

If you frequently notice food debris remains on the dishes, this could be a sign that your dishwasher is not operating correctly.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The good news is that, of the freshest 10 samples that arrived, two would not operate correctly under Windows 7".

Independent

If not, then scripts that make decisions based on these variables might not operate correctly, but then neither will any other date-related software on your computer.

Columbia University

If they do not operate correctly, it is likely that users will change their network as well as the phone, not knowing where the problem lies.

Cellular Communications Explained From Basics to 3G

Another was at BP's chemical plant in Hull, UK, where a piece of equipment was not operated correctly, causing damages of $35-45m35-45me another failure saw critical blueprints that "had gone missing during critical operational activities".

The Guardian

In addition, if the local protection or its breaker has not operated correctly, the protection trip boundary will be broadened to ensure the protection can clear the fault.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, be specific about which component or aspect is "not operating correctly" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "not operating correctly" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, identify the specific problem. For instance, instead of saying "The machine is not operating correctly", specify: "The machine's cooling fan is not operating correctly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not operating correctly" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun (e.g., 'the system', 'the device') to indicate a state of malfunction or improper function. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not operating correctly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing malfunctions or suboptimal performance. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions as a descriptive phrase and is employed to inform or report that something isn't working as it should. While it is a neutral phrase, it appears most frequently in news media, scientific, and wiki contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig AI shows the phrase's utility across diverse scenarios, from malfunctioning machinery to systems failing to meet expectations. For clarity, it's best practice to specify the problematic component or aspect, and avoid overly general descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not functioning properly

Replaces "operating correctly" with "functioning properly", a common alternative.

not working as intended

Focuses on the deviation from the intended or expected performance.

malfunctioning

Single word denoting a state of improper function.

out of order

A more general term indicating that something is not currently functional.

not in working order

Similar to "out of order" but slightly more formal.

defective

Indicates an inherent flaw causing the improper operation.

faulty

Similar to "defective", suggesting a flaw or imperfection.

not up to par

Idiomatic expression indicating substandard performance.

not up to scratch

British English idiom similar to "not up to par".

performing suboptimally

A more technical term suggesting that performance is below the optimal level.

FAQs

How can I use "not operating correctly" in a sentence?

You can use "not operating correctly" to describe a device, system, or process that is malfunctioning. For example: "The printer is "not operating correctly" and needs maintenance."

What are some alternatives to "not operating correctly"?

Alternatives include "malfunctioning", "not functioning properly", or "out of order" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not operating correctly" or "not functioning correctly"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "not functioning correctly" might sound slightly more formal. "Not operating correctly" is more common when referring to machinery, while "not functioning correctly" can apply to systems or processes as well.

What's the difference between "not operating correctly" and "not working as intended"?

"Not working as intended" focuses on the purpose or expectation, whereas "not operating correctly" focuses on the actual function. For instance, a program might be "not operating correctly" due to a bug, even if it technically runs. Alternatively, it might be operating correctly but "not working as intended" because the initial requirements were misunderstood.