was defective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was defective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item or product that is not functioning properly or has a flaw. Example: "The product I received was defective, and I had to return it for a replacement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it, too, was defective.

The Guardian

Matthew claimed it was defective.

The New Yorker

The button, in this case, was defective.

The New Yorker

And they looked at me as if I was defective.

The Guardian - Books

"They knew the product was defective," he said.

The New York Times

She claimed that the drug itself was defective.

The New York Times

He explained that the battery I had was defective.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, Judge Porter repeatedly challenged lawyers for Mr. Craig, who said his plea was defective.

The New York Times

"Our crews found a service box that was defective," he said.

The New York Times

Cessna's lawyers argued that the seat did not slip and denied the locking mechanism was defective.

The New York Times

In the course of rifle training he had discovered that his eyesight was defective.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the nature of the defect, be specific. Instead of just saying "the product was defective", explain how it was defective (e.g., "the product was defective due to a faulty motor").

Common error

Avoid using "was defective" without providing context or detail. Readers need to understand the specific issue to grasp the severity and impact of the defect. Instead of saying "the system was defective", specify what part of the system failed or how it malfunctioned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was defective" primarily functions as a predicate adjective. It describes the state or condition of a noun (the subject of the sentence) by ascribing to it the quality of being imperfect or malfunctioning. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where "was defective" follows a linking verb (usually "was") to modify a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was defective" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that has a flaw or isn't functioning properly. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science domains. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify the nature of the defect. Alternatives like "was faulty" or "was malfunctioning" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Avoiding overgeneralization and providing specific details about the defect ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was faulty

Synonymous, but slightly more general, implying a flaw in design or manufacture.

was malfunctioning

Emphasizes the active failure of a function.

had a defect

Focuses on the presence of a defect rather than the overall state.

was broken

Implies damage that prevents proper function.

was out of order

Suggests a temporary or correctable state of being non-functional.

was impaired

Indicates a reduction in functionality, not necessarily complete failure.

did not work

A simpler, more direct way of saying something was not functional.

was sub-par

Suggests that something did not reach the quality expected.

was imperfect

Highlights the lack of perfection, which could be due to flaws.

was amiss

Suggests that something wasn't quite right, implying a flaw or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "was defective" in a sentence?

You can use "was defective" to describe an item or system that isn't functioning correctly due to a flaw. For example, "The product I received "was defective" and I had to return it."

What are some alternatives to using "was defective"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was faulty", "was malfunctioning", or "did not work". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the problem.

Is it better to say "was defective" or "had a defect"?

Both are correct, but "was defective" describes the overall state, while "had a defect" emphasizes the presence of a specific flaw. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the condition or the cause.

What does it mean when something "was defective"?

It means that the item or system had a flaw or imperfection that prevented it from functioning as intended. This could be due to manufacturing errors, design flaws, or other issues.