was malfunctioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was malfunctioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a device, system, or process that is not operating as intended or is experiencing issues. Example: "The printer was malfunctioning, causing delays in the printing process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Its radio was malfunctioning.

The New York Times - Magazine

They travelled through time, and the machine was malfunctioning.

The New Yorker

At first, he thought the computer was malfunctioning.

The New York Times

Convinced his problem was malfunctioning adrenal glands, she fought to get doctors to investigate a link.

MIT Technology Review

When the batteries in the remote started to run down, users thought the television was malfunctioning.

The Telegraph

"Not a single one was broken, not a single electronic channel was malfunctioning.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

They're malfunctioning at the moment.

The Guardian - Sport

In the meantime, the relievers are malfunctioning.

The New York Times - Sports

— the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland is malfunctioning.

The New York Times

It probably doesn't help that the soundtrack is malfunctioning.

The Economist

This is one reason why their labour markets are malfunctioning.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, use "was malfunctioning" to convey a specific type of operational failure, implying a deviation from the expected function rather than a complete breakdown.

Common error

Avoid using "was malfunctioning" in casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "wasn't working" or "was acting up" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was malfunctioning" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something was not operating correctly in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was malfunctioning" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a past state of operational failure. Ludwig AI showcases its prevalence across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science domains. While it maintains a neutral-to-professional tone, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings. When technical accuracy is paramount, particularly in describing equipment failures or system errors, this phrase effectively communicates that something deviated from its expected function. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not working

Replaces "malfunctioning" with a more general term for non-operation.

was not functioning properly

A more formal and explicit way of saying something was not working as intended.

was out of order

Indicates a temporary state of non-function, often used for machines or systems.

broke down

Suggests a complete and sudden cessation of function.

was failing

Suggests a gradual decline in function leading to failure.

was experiencing issues

Emphasizes the presence of problems without specifying the exact nature.

was defective

Highlights an inherent flaw causing the malfunction.

suffered a fault

More formal, often used in technical contexts.

was acting up

An informal way to describe erratic or unpredictable behavior.

had a problem

A simple and direct way to indicate something was wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "was malfunctioning" to describe a device, system, or process that isn't working as intended. For example: "The printer "was malfunctioning", causing delays."

What can I say instead of "was malfunctioning"?

You can use alternatives like "was not working", "was out of order", or "was failing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is malfunctioning" or "was malfunctioning"?

Both are correct, but "was malfunctioning" describes a past event, while "is malfunctioning" describes a current state. Choose the tense based on when the malfunction occurred.

What is the difference between "was malfunctioning" and "broke down"?

"Was malfunctioning" implies an issue with proper function, while "broke down" suggests a complete cessation of operation. The former might be recoverable, while the latter often indicates a more serious problem.