service outage

USAGE SUMMARY

'service outage' is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is typically used to describe a period when a service is temporarily unavailable. For example: Due to a recent service outage, the company's website is unavailable at the moment.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Without them, it would be like the calamitous three-day service outage of October 2011 – permanently.

The Guardian - Tech

During normal business hours, please email [email protected] to report a blog service outage.

Princeton University

The application for Facilities Inventory is currently experiencing an unexpected service outage.

Cornell University

A power outage has caused a partial service outage for campus Telephone Service.

Cornell University

No new TLS certificate is involved and no service outage is planned.

University of California, Berkeley

That itty-bitty enormous service outage that briefly made paperweights of BlackBerrys throughout the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Occasional, nationwide service outages exposed BlackBerry's limitations.

The New York Times

We apologize for any inconvenience these service outages caused.

Stanford University

Other smartphones do not funnel their data through a centralized system, making widespread service outages unlikely.

The New York Times - Tech

ADMS monitors and controls network devices, manages service outages, and dispatches crews.

Harvard Business Review

More and more threats in the form of technical glitches, service outages, and security breaches.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the term "service outage" when you want to emphasize the complete unavailability of a service, rather than a mere disruption or slowdown.

Common error

Avoid using "service outage" when the service is still functioning, but with reduced performance. "Service degradation" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "service outage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it denoting a period of unavailability for a service. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "service outage" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a period when a service is temporarily unavailable. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this term, it is important to be specific about the services affected and avoid confusing it with "service degradation". Related phrases include "service disruption" and "system downtime", each offering a slightly different nuance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct and usable status in written English. Understanding its function and appropriate usage enhances clarity in both technical and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

service disruption

Focuses on the interruption aspect, less specific about the complete cessation of service.

service interruption

Similar to 'service disruption', highlighting the temporary nature of the issue.

system downtime

Emphasizes the technical aspect of the outage, related to the system's availability.

network failure

Pinpoints the cause of the outage to a problem with the network infrastructure.

temporary service unavailability

More formal and explicit, stressing the temporary aspect of the service's lack of availability.

intermittent service

Suggests that the service is not consistently available, with sporadic interruptions.

telecommunications outage

Specifically relates to outages affecting telecommunications services.

connectivity issues

A broader term encompassing various problems related to connecting to a service.

access denied

Focuses on the user's inability to access the service.

blackout

A more general term for a failure or loss of something, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I report a "service outage" effectively?

When reporting a "service outage", provide details such as the specific service affected, the time the outage began, and any error messages encountered. This helps technical support diagnose and resolve the issue more quickly.

What's the difference between "service outage" and "service disruption"?

While both terms refer to interruptions in service, a "service outage" typically implies a complete unavailability, whereas a "service disruption" might involve reduced performance or intermittent connectivity.

What are some common causes of a "service outage"?

Common causes include hardware failures, software bugs, network issues, scheduled maintenance, and external attacks. Identifying the cause helps in preventing future outages.

What can I do during a "service outage"?

During a "service outage", check the service provider's status page or social media for updates. You can also try basic troubleshooting steps like restarting your device or contacting support, but often the best course of action is to wait for the service to be restored.