service blackout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "service blackout" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period during which a service is unavailable or interrupted, often due to maintenance or technical issues. Example: "The internet provider announced a service blackout from midnight to 6 AM for necessary upgrades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Members of the U.S. Congress have at times raised the idea of giving the president the legal authority to create an Internet "kill switch" -- the power to order ISPs to disconnect certain websites, stop the flow of information from certain countries or even create an internet service blackout.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even if it does work, it could be costly and inefficient, and still result in service blackouts.

Forbes

But the fix has yet to be publicly demonstrated, and even if it does work, it could be costly, inefficient and still result in service blackouts.

Forbes

Thankfully, the activism of people like late Reddit co-founder Aaron Swartz, along with service blackouts launched by Wikipedia, Reddit, and other web titans, ensured that the public's outrage was too loud for Congress to ignore.

Vice

"The Cross Island Sound Cable, which has been improperly prevented from operating, could mean the difference between continued service and blackouts on Long Island, southwestern Connecticut and the entire region," Mr. Kessel said in his letter.

The New York Times

Ferries were again pressed into service during the blackout of August 2003.

The New York Times

Already many Yemenis experience interrupted water service, like electricity blackouts, which they also have constantly.

The New York Times

State officials estimate that the federal mandate helps the state procure hundreds of megawatts of electricity from neighbors, enough to light hundreds of thousands of homes each day and, at times, to tip the balance between normal service and forced blackouts.

The New York Times

The backup generators proved their value during the recent regional blackout, when service, including the emergency 911 number, was kept going during the emergency period.

The New York Times

Janee Briesemeister, a senior policy analyst for Consumers Union, said the service disruptions during the blackout proved that cellular companies required more public oversight.

The New York Times

"On all but 2 of the 32 statewide blackout and service interruption days shown, the five biggest independent electricity generators did not supply well over 500 megawatts of power they could have generated," the study found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. In technical settings, "service outage" might be more appropriate, while "service blackout" can be suitable for general audiences.

Common error

Avoid using "service blackout" when referring to power outages unless the outage specifically affects a particular service (like internet or phone). A general power outage is simply a "blackout".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "service blackout" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes a period of unavailability or interruption of a specific service. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts, including internet, electricity, and communication services.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "service blackout" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a period when a specific service is unavailable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests "service disruption" or "service outage" as alternatives. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for broad communication. To use it effectively, specify the affected service to avoid ambiguity. When writing, be careful not to confuse it with general power blackouts. Though the term enjoys widespread recognition, variations in context may call for different phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

service disruption

Focuses on the interruption of service, without necessarily implying a complete cessation.

service interruption

Similar to 'service disruption', highlighting the temporary halt of service.

service outage

Emphasizes the unavailability of the service.

blackout of service

Reverses the phrase structure while maintaining the same core meaning.

interruption of services

Focuses on multiple services being interrupted.

system downtime

Refers to the period when a system is not operational.

loss of service

Highlights the deprivation of a service.

access denial

Indicates that access to a service has been prevented.

communication breakdown

Specifically refers to failures in communication services.

temporary suspension of service

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the service cessation.

FAQs

What does the term "service blackout" mean?

A "service blackout" refers to a period when a particular service, such as internet, phone, or electricity, is unavailable or interrupted.

How is a "service blackout" different from a regular blackout?

A regular blackout typically refers to a general power outage, while a "service blackout" indicates that a specific service is unavailable, even if power is still present. For example, there might be a "service disruption" for an internet provider in a location where power is available.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "service blackout"?

Alternatives include "service disruption", "service interruption", or "service outage". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "service blackout"?

It's appropriate to use "service blackout" when you want to emphasize the complete and often unexpected unavailability of a particular service, causing inconvenience or disruption to users. However, consider "service outage" when that interruption is planned.