out of commission

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of commission" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something is not working correctly or is not in service. Example: "The machine is out of commission, so we will need to find another way to complete the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Your ship is out of commission.

The New York Times - Travel

The rest were still out of commission.

The New York Times

Lou's was out of commission.

The New York Times

It is still out of commission.

The New York Times

Two others were out of commission.

The New Yorker

Mr Mohammed himself is now out of commission.

The Economist

It meant the bar was out of commission.

The New York Times

Tells how it puts people's watches out of commission.

The New Yorker

But, two of the six guns were out of commission.

The New York Times

How often does your subway line go out of commission?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Donald Margulies ("Dinner with Friends") presents a new drama about out-of-commission war journalists.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of commission", clearly specify what is not functioning. For example, instead of saying "The system is out of commission", specify "The server is out of commission".

Common error

Avoid using "out of commission" when something is simply delayed or postponed. The phrase implies a more significant issue than a temporary setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of commission" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is not currently in working order. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of commission" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is not currently functioning or available for use. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts such as wikis. While versatile, it's important to be specific about what is out of commission and to avoid using it for mere delays. Alternatives include "inoperative", "not working", and "down for repairs", but "out of commission" is suitable for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not working

This is a simple and direct way to state that something is not in operation.

not operational

A more formal alternative, commonly used in technical documentation.

inoperative

This term is a more formal way of saying something is not working.

non-functional

This phrase emphasizes the lack of ability to perform its intended function.

down for repairs

Specifically indicates that something is temporarily unavailable due to maintenance.

broken down

This suggests a mechanical failure causing the item to stop working.

unserviceable

Often used in military or technical contexts to indicate something cannot be used.

defective

Indicates a flaw or fault that prevents proper functioning.

in disrepair

Suggests a state of neglect or damage leading to non-functionality.

kaput

An informal term indicating complete failure or destruction.

FAQs

What does "out of commission" mean?

The phrase "out of commission" means that something is not functioning or is not in service. It implies that the item or system is temporarily unavailable for use.

How can I use "out of commission" in a sentence?

You can use "out of commission" to describe anything that is temporarily not working. For example, "The elevator is "not working"", or "The printer is currently "inoperative"".

What are some alternatives to saying "out of commission"?

Alternatives to "out of commission" include "not working", "inoperative", "down for repairs", or "non-functional" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "out of commission" in a formal setting?

Yes, "out of commission" is suitable for both formal and informal settings. However, in very formal or technical contexts, you might prefer more precise alternatives such as "not operational" or "unserviceable".