out of service

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of service" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is not currently functioning or available. For example: "The elevator is out of service, so you'll have to use the stairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

However, when an elevator is out of service, escalators are your only choice.

WikiHow

Elevators are out of service.

The New York Times

The 4 is out of service.

The New York Times

All of them were out of service.

The New Yorker

Underground pipelines completely out of service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Damn (and blast!), it's out of service.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

At American Airlines, people dialed cellphones from out-of-service planes parked at various airports.

The New York Times

The samples were extracted from out-of-service equipment.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

All sectionalize switches in the out-of-service un-faulted area are the sectionalize switch candidates.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

In Rwanda alone, these easy fixes have halved the amount of out-of-service equipment.

Science Magazine

It said they were out-of-service, unarmed vehicles and were not lethal equipment.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of service", specify the reason if known (e.g., "The elevator is out of service for maintenance.") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "off service" as it's not a standard English phrase. The correct term is "out of service".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of service" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is not currently functioning or available for use. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of service" is an adjective phrase used to describe something that is not currently functioning or available. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and common phrase. It's frequently found in news, science, and wiki sources, indicating a neutral register. When using "out of service", it is helpful to provide additional information, such as the reason for the unavailability (e.g., maintenance or repair). Avoid the incorrect form "off service". Consider alternatives like "not operational" or "unavailable" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not functioning

Focuses specifically on the lack of functionality.

not operational

Emphasizes the inability to operate or perform its intended function.

unavailable

Indicates that something is not accessible or ready for use.

inoperative

Highlights the lack of operational capability.

down

A shorter, more informal way of saying something is not working.

not working

A simple and direct way to express a lack of functionality.

under repair

Specifies that the reason for being out of service is maintenance or repair.

temporarily unavailable

Indicates that the item or service will be available again in the future.

offline

Commonly used for electronic devices or systems that are disconnected or not running.

deactivated

Implies a deliberate action to stop the service or function.

FAQs

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

You can use "out of service" to indicate that something is not currently functioning or available. For example, "The vending machine is "out of service"."

What is a more formal alternative to "out of service"?

A more formal alternative would be "not operational" or "unavailable", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "off service" instead of "out of service"?

No, it is not correct. The proper phrase is ""out of service"". "Off service" is not a standard English expression.

What's the difference between "out of order" and "out of service"?

"Out of order" typically refers to a mechanical malfunction, while ""out of service"" can encompass a broader range of reasons, including maintenance, repairs, or temporary suspension of availability.