system is down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "system is down" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation when a computer/software or other technological system is not functioning properly. For example, "The network system is down, so we won't be able to access the internet from our computers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Maybe their system is down".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're sorry, our system is down this morning.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Oyster system is down and everyone is travelling free!

Independent

"The system is down at the moment," it read.

The New York Times

"I think the system is down," Ms. Rivera told one woman.

The New York Times

Repo borrowing across the system is down by a lot since the financial crisis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"My system is down-and-dirty," he added, and "in that respect I have a certain amount of envy.

The New York Times

The phosphatidylinositol signaling system is down-regulated in ras2Δ, and tor1Δ (q-value = 0.036, 0.059), but not in sch9Δ.

Plosone

It has previously been reported that NF-κB system is down-regulated in DU145 RC0.1, a cell line resistant to CPT [28].

Plosone

Immune function is also impaired; tollpathway, forming part of innate immune system, is down-regulated in metastasizing cells (table 2).

BMC Cancer

"The system's down," the coach says.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting that a "system is down", immediately provide an estimated time for restoration or steps being taken to resolve the issue.

Common error

Instead of solely stating the "system is down", specify what component of the system is affected and the potential impact on users. For example, "The payment processing system is down, affecting online transactions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "system is down" functions as a statement indicating the unavailability or malfunction of a system. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct usage. Examples show it applied to various systems, from computer networks to transportation ticketing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "system is down" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a system is not functioning properly, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, providing context and estimated restoration times are best practices. Related phrases include "system failure" and "service interruption". Be specific about the affected system component and impact on users instead of overusing the passive voice. The phrase serves to inform about disruptions or malfunctions in various systems, from computer networks to transportation services.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the system is unavailable

Emphasizes that the system cannot be accessed or used.

the system is offline

Indicates the system is disconnected and not accessible.

system failure

Focuses on the breakdown or cessation of functionality.

the system isn't working

A more general and informal way to state the system is not functional.

the system has crashed

Indicates a sudden and complete failure of the system.

service interruption

Highlights a temporary stop in service provision.

network outage

Specifically refers to a disruption in network connectivity.

the server is down

More specific to server-related issues causing system unavailability.

the system is malfunctioning

Suggests that the system is not working correctly but may not be completely non-functional.

experiencing technical difficulties

A broader phrase that encompasses various system-related problems.

FAQs

How can I use "system is down" in a sentence?

You can use "system is down" to indicate that a particular system is not functioning properly. For example, "I can't access the files because the "network is down"" or "The website is currently unavailable because the "server is down"".

What's a more formal way to say "system is down"?

A more formal way to say "system is down" is "the "system is unavailable"" or "We are experiencing a "service interruption"".

What does it mean when a system is "down"?

When a system is "down", it means it is not functioning or operational due to a malfunction, maintenance, or other technical issues. This prevents users from accessing or using the "system failure".

What can cause a "system is down" situation?

A "system is down" situation can be caused by various factors, including hardware failures, software bugs, "network outage", power outages, or scheduled maintenance.