operates incorrectly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operates incorrectly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a system, device, or process that is not functioning as intended or expected. Example: "The machine operates incorrectly, causing delays in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Proponents of the legislation say that aside from creating noise, personal watercraft can also be a danger to their riders if operated incorrectly and can generate too much pollution and threaten the aquatic habitat they operate in.

The New York Times

Military officials are asking the American industry, and companies in other countries, to create and install even more sensitive versions of dynamic frequency selection -- something that the companies say may cause the technology to operate incorrectly.

The New York Times

Hidden failures only include those failures that cause a relay to operate incorrectly.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Sometimes relay correctly see the fault direction but further asserted which causes line relay to operate incorrectly [5, 10].

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

A common theme in these events is the presence of hidden failures that caused a relay to operate incorrectly immediately after another protection action had been taken in their local area.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

A hidden failure is defined as a permanent, undetected defect in a protection relay that causes a relay to operate incorrectly and remove elements of the system as a consequence of another switching event in the system [25].

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

In some cases comparison of the recording (Fig. 3) from the relay that operated incorrectly and the record from another device can indicate the reason for the operation and which component of the system has failed.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

What exactly caused the cellular transmission system to fall out of line and for how long it's been operating incorrectly is not yet known.

Los Angeles Times

When parts of the substation were "isolated" on Tuesday morning so that upgrades could continue, the increased current automatically triggered a protection device that operated incorrectly because of the wiring mistake and cut off power, Grigaux said.

Los Angeles Times

You have the feeling of being the direct cause when things go wrong, e.g. that you operated at the wrong time, you operated incorrectly or that you should have found the right diagnosis earlier".

BMC Medical Ethics

Correction: May 14 , 2002 Tuesday Because of an editing error, an article on Saturday about an Indian-American motel owner in Winslow, Ariz., and a competitor, who advertises her own motel as "American owned and operated," referred incorrectly to 17,000 United States hotels and motels whose owners are of Asian descent and misattributed the information in some copies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, be specific about how something "operates incorrectly". Provide details about the symptoms or consequences of the malfunction.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "operates incorrectly" without further explanation. This lacks detail and doesn't inform the reader about the nature of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operates incorrectly" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb, describing the manner in which something performs an action. It indicates a deviation from the expected or intended functionality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operates incorrectly" is a grammatically sound way to describe a malfunction or deviation from intended function. While Ludwig AI confirms it's usable and correct, remember to provide specific details about the malfunction. While it appears most commonly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various audiences. Consider alternatives like "functions improperly" or "malfunctions" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functions improperly

Focuses on the act of functioning but emphasizes the flawed manner.

malfunctions

A single word denoting faulty operation.

works incorrectly

Highlights the incorrect nature of the work being done.

performs erroneously

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the action or performance.

is not working correctly

Expands on the idea that the device or system is not in proper working order.

fails to operate as intended

Clearly states the failure to meet operational expectations.

runs improperly

Implies a flawed or substandard operational process.

behaves erratically

Describes unpredictable and incorrect behavior.

is out of order

Commonly used to indicate that something is not functioning.

is defective

Highlights a flaw that causes the incorrect operation.

FAQs

How can I describe something that isn't working as expected instead of saying "operates incorrectly"?

Consider alternatives like "functions improperly", "malfunctions", or "is not working correctly" to add nuance.

Is it acceptable to use "operates incorrectly" in formal writing?

Yes, "operates incorrectly" is acceptable, but in very formal contexts, more precise language might be preferred to clearly detail the nature of the malfunction.

What's the difference between "operates incorrectly" and "is broken"?

"Is broken" implies a state of being unusable, while "operates incorrectly" suggests it's still functioning but not as intended. Something that "operates incorrectly" may still provide some output, unlike something that is broken.

Can "operates incorrectly" apply to both machines and processes?

Yes, it can. You can say a machine "operates incorrectly" if it's malfunctioning, and you can say a process "operates incorrectly" if it's not following the intended steps or producing the desired results.