was not functioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not functioning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you are talking about something that has stopped working or not functioning as it should. For example: The air conditioner in my car was not functioning, so I had to drive home with all the windows open.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A device implanted in her heart was not functioning.

The New York Times - Health

When Mr. Melton arrived, the district government was not functioning.

The New York Times

In his grief he barely noticed that he was not functioning quite as well as usual.

The New York Times - Health

Her movements were awkward, as if half her body was not functioning properly.

The New York Times

She noticed that Roza was not functioning normally when Roza was 3 1/2.

The New York Times

He said, in essence, that he was not functioning the way a senator should, and the Senate was not functioning the way it should.

The New York Times

"I think because of the blood loss I was not functioning very well," he said.

The New York Times

The chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, said the pressure control system was not functioning at the plant's three reactors.

The Guardian

At the time, the five-course complex once dubbed "the people's country club" was not functioning up to expectations.

The New York Times

That meant that trading could continue in securities that are listed on more than one exchange, even when the primary exchange was not functioning.

The New York Times

When the drug agency investigated, it said Mr. Gelsinger should never have been treated, because his liver was not functioning well enough before doctors gave him the infusion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex systems, clarify which specific component "was not functioning" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the system was not functioning", specify "the cooling system was not functioning".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice with "was not functioning" can make your writing less direct. Consider rephrasing to use a more active construction where appropriate; for example, instead of "the device was not functioning", try "the device failed to function" or "the device malfunctioned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not functioning" serves as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the state or condition of the subject. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase signifies that something isn't working or operating correctly. The Ludwig examples show it being used to describe devices, systems, and even physical abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not functioning" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates something is not working or operating correctly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and business communications. While "was not functioning" is generally suitable for neutral register, consider stronger synonyms like "inoperative" or "malfunctioning" for clarity. Using active voice can also help refine your writing. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "was not functioning" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was inoperative

Replaces "functioning" with a synonym emphasizing a complete lack of operation.

was out of order

A common idiom for something temporarily not working.

failed to work

Focuses on the failure of an action or process.

did not work

A simple and direct way of saying something didn't function.

malfunctioned

A single word that means "did not function correctly".

was not operational

Similar to "inoperative" but often used in more technical contexts.

was broken

Implies a state of being damaged and unable to function.

ceased to function

Emphasizes the ending of a functional state.

was defective

Highlights an inherent flaw preventing proper function.

was impaired

Suggests that functionality was reduced or negatively affected.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "was not functioning"?

You can use alternatives like "was inoperative", "was out of order", or "failed to work" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was not functioning" or "did not function"?

Both "was not functioning" and "did not function" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context. "Was not functioning" often implies a continuous state, while "did not function" emphasizes a specific instance of failure.

How do I use "was not functioning" in a sentence?

You can use "was not functioning" to describe something that has stopped working or is not working as intended. For example, "The elevator was not functioning, so we had to take the stairs".

What is the difference between "was not functioning" and "was malfunctioning"?

"Was not functioning" is a broader term that indicates something is not working at all. "Was malfunctioning" implies it was working, but not correctly or as intended.