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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
not performing properly
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "not performing properly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not functioning as expected or intended, often in technical or operational contexts. Example: "The software is not performing properly, causing delays in our workflow."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Wiki
Alternative expressions(16)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
"Obviously, this is not the way we want to do business," said Ms. Latapie, who has started giving clients her personal cellphone number to avoid missing reservations when the restaurant's phone is not performing properly.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
If the test is not performed properly, the mercury in the manometer can burst up through the vial that contains it, spilling onto the floor.
News & Media
In addition, many of the systems were based on older technologies that might not perform properly with the arrival of the year 2000.
News & Media
Commercially available noise dosimeters do not perform properly in impulsive noise environments because they suffer from instrumentation limitations and lack metrics that characterize impulse noise.
Science
Therefore, the role of the base isolation device isolating the superstructure from the ground motion does not perform properly, which causes amplification of the floor response of the superstructure.
In addition, temporal inconsistency occurs when camera synchronization is not performed properly.
Majority vote does not perform properly when the error chance in task execution is high.
In the literature, several distinct methods for line blanking can be found [24 30], each of them with a valid issue in the most general conditions, but they do not perform properly when applied to the scores we are analyzing.
Certain studies have put into question the in vitro culture of denuded Germinal Vesicle (GV) stage oocytes which can lead to meiotic delays and aneuploidies when not performed properly.
Science
As the split was likely not performed properly, 91.6 kb was trimmed from the latter and appended to the former.
Science
In addition, if pasteurization is not performed properly (for appropriate times and at appropriate temperatures), pathogens might not be eliminated from the milk.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing technical issues, be specific about what aspect is "not performing properly". Instead of saying "The system is not performing properly", specify "The database query is not performing properly, causing slow response times."
Common error
Avoid using "not performing properly" as a vague statement without further explanation. Always provide context or details about what specific function or aspect is affected to improve clarity.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "not performing properly" typically functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show it describing systems, devices, or even people not functioning as intended.
Frequent in
Science
34%
News & Media
34%
Wiki
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
11%
Reference
3%
Encyclopedias
3%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "not performing properly" is a common and generally correct phrase used to describe something that is malfunctioning or not working as intended. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While versatile, it's important to provide specific context for clarity. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in Science, News & Media and Wiki articles. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "malfunctioning" or "operating suboptimally". Always aim for precision in your descriptions to effectively communicate the nature of the issue.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
not functioning correctly
This phrase is a direct synonym, highlighting the lack of correct operation.
malfunctioning
This alternative describes a state of impaired function, emphasizing the incorrect or erratic operation of something.
failing to operate correctly
This emphasizes the inability to operate in the intended manner.
not working as expected
This indicates a deviation from the anticipated or intended performance level.
underperforming
This term focuses on the idea that something is not achieving its potential or expected level of performance.
not delivering the expected results
This emphasizes the failure to produce the anticipated outcome.
not up to par
This idiom suggests that the performance is below the required standard.
inadequate performance
This uses a noun phrase to describe the insufficient or deficient level of performance.
operating suboptimally
This suggests the performance is below the ideal or optimal level.
not at its best
This implies a temporary state of reduced capability or effectiveness.
FAQs
What's a more formal way to say "not performing properly"?
In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "malfunctioning", "not functioning correctly", or "operating suboptimally".
How can I be more specific than saying "not performing properly"?
Instead of "not performing properly", specify the issue. For example, say "the engine is "misfiring"", "the software is "crashing"", or "the connection is "intermittent"".
Is it always negative to say something is "not performing properly"?
Yes, the phrase generally indicates a problem or deficiency. It suggests that something is failing to meet the expected or required standards of performance.
What's the difference between "not performing properly" and "underperforming"?
"Not performing properly" suggests a malfunction or failure to function correctly, while "underperforming" implies a performance below expectations or potential, but not necessarily a complete failure.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested