they were not functioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were not functioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not operating or working as intended. Example: "After the power outage, the machines in the factory were not functioning, causing a delay in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He said he would start summarily benching players who showed early in a game that they were not functioning as part of the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Finally, inspection of the tuned mass dampers installed on the bridge to reduce the level of vibration in the first mode showed that they were not functioning correctly after the last event.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Two men were deemed ineligible to take part as they were not functioning independently in the community: one had dementia and the other had a lifelong intellectual disability.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were more likely to find those signs, however, if they weren't functioning as general commentators on the arts or as visiting firemen from ritzier boroughs, but had a regular job reviewing the product as it came out.

The New York Times - Books

And they were still just feeling really shitty and really low, and they weren't functioning in life.

Vice

And they were still just feeling really shitty and really low and they weren't functioning in life.

Vice

They are not functioning properly now.

The Guardian

"Nobody eats breakfast; they're going to bed late, and they're not functioning.

The New York Times

Even those who are able to make it to health facilities find that they are not functioning.

The Guardian

In some cases, however, when they are not functioning well, they run the risk of becoming institutions of censorship.

The New York Times

Those "various reasons," Dr. Gordon added, include the ease with which attention deficit can be made a scapegoat for "high functioning people who bemoan the fact that they're not functioning at an even higher level".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process, use "they were not functioning" to clearly indicate that the system is not operating as intended. This avoids ambiguity and provides a clear understanding of the situation.

Common error

Do not use "they were not functioning" without specifying what "they" refers to. Always provide context to ensure clarity and avoid confusion about what is not working.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were not functioning" typically acts as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state of a subject. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It indicates that something is not operating or working as intended. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing malfunctioning equipment, impaired individuals, or ineffective systems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were not functioning" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a state of impaired or failed operation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. The phrase effectively conveys information about a problem or issue, often implying a need for resolution. Alternatives such as "they were inoperative" or "they were malfunctioning" can provide a more precise nuance depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "they" refers to, avoiding vagueness and enhancing understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were inoperative

Replaces "functioning" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the inability to operate.

they were out of order

Indicates a temporary state of being non-functional, often used for equipment or systems.

they were not working properly

Focuses on the quality of the operation, suggesting that the functionality is impaired.

they were malfunctioning

Emphasizes a fault or defect causing the lack of function.

they were not operational

Similar to "inoperative" but can also apply to plans or strategies.

they were non-functional

Directly states the absence of function.

they were impaired

Suggests that their ability to function is reduced or weakened.

they were not up to par

Indicates failure to meet a required standard or expectation of functionality.

they were ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired results or outcomes due to the lack of function.

they were broken

Implies a more severe state of being non-functional, often due to physical damage.

FAQs

What does "they were not functioning" mean?

The phrase "they were not functioning" means that a group of things or people are not working or operating as expected or intended. It suggests a failure or impairment in their ability to perform their usual tasks or roles.

How can I use "they were not functioning" in a sentence?

You can use "they were not functioning" to describe anything from machines to organizations. For example, "After the storm, the traffic lights "were not functioning", causing chaos at intersections".

What can I say instead of "they were not functioning"?

You can use alternatives like "they were inoperative", "they were malfunctioning", or "they were not working properly" depending on the context.

Is "they were not functioning" formal or informal?

"They were not functioning" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, more precise terms like "they were inoperative" or "they were non-functional" might be preferred.