work improperly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work improperly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not functioning as intended or is not being done correctly. Example: "The machine tends to work improperly when the temperature exceeds the recommended limit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The drainage, collection and leachate treatment systems of the tailings impoundments under study work improperly or are even missing in some cases.

Chemistry Central Journal

The first d steps, where B 1 and B 2 may work improperly, have only the effect of slightly increasing the size of the set Q, but not by an order of magnitude (recall that Q was the set of those indices i, for which the corresponding X i was the output of B 1 before everything started working properly).

Advances in Difference Equations

If Firefox continues to work improperly, repeat this step and restart your computer.

WikiHow

Filling the tank above this line will likely cause it to work improperly.

WikiHow

After the fifth generation of copies, those keys may fail to work in your lock, or work improperly.

WikiHow

Before you play any instrument make sure you do not have food in you mouth, this can make your instrument work improperly and get all sorts of disgusting little creatures (i.e. maggots ) to take up residence in your horn.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"During my coma my brain wasn't working improperly," he writes in his book.

The New York Times - Books

It seems to show he worked improperly with a lawyer based in Brussels, and that the lawyer co-operated with the prosecution raising questions about conflicts of interest.

The Economist

(The National Border Patrol Council has denied suggestions that it works improperly with these groups and insists that it meets with organizations from across the political spectrum).

The New Yorker

We allege that the government put pressure on the tribunal's judge (who has now resigned); that the judge worked improperly with a lawyer of Bangladeshi origin based in Belgium and that the lawyer co-operated with the prosecution, raising conflicts of interest.There is a lot more of this.

The Economist

A healthy immune system is important when it comes to living a healthy life; however, some people have chronic conditions where their immune system is either missing or working improperly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, use "work improperly" to indicate a functional problem without assigning blame. For example: "The software may work improperly if the system requirements are not met."

Common error

Avoid using "work improperly" in contexts where ethical or moral implications are present. In these cases, more precise terms like "act unethically" or "handle inappropriately" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work improperly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "work", describing the manner in which something is functioning. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it indicates that the subject is not performing its intended function correctly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "work improperly" is grammatically correct and functions as an adverbial phrase that describes something not performing its intended function correctly. Ludwig shows that it is used in varied contexts, particularly in wiki, news and media, and science. Although acceptable across different registers, it's more suitable for informal or general contexts. For formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "function incorrectly" or "operate poorly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

function incorrectly

Focuses on the incorrectness of the function, emphasizing a technical or operational malfunction.

operate poorly

Highlights the substandard level of operation, suggesting inefficiency or ineffectiveness.

malfunction

Implies a failure in the normal functioning of something, often due to a mechanical or technical fault.

perform inadequately

Stresses the insufficient level of performance, indicating a failure to meet required standards.

act inappropriately

Shifts the focus to behavior that is not suitable or proper for a given situation.

behave erratically

Suggests unpredictable and unstable behavior, often due to a malfunction or error.

not work as expected

States directly that the outcome is different from what was anticipated.

fail to function properly

Emphasizes the failure of the functionality, highlighting a complete or partial breakdown.

run inefficiently

Concentrates on the inefficiency of the process, indicating wasted resources or time.

execute poorly

Refers to the poor execution of a task, process, or plan, emphasizing the substandard level of implementation.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "works improperly"?

When something "works improperly", it means that it's not functioning as it should or is not performing its intended task correctly. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a mechanical failure, software bug, or incorrect usage.

What can I say instead of "work improperly"?

You can use alternatives like "function incorrectly", "operate poorly", or "malfunction" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say something "works improperly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say something "works improperly". The verb "work" is correctly modified by the adverb "improperly" to describe the manner in which something is functioning.

What is the difference between "work improperly" and "work inappropriately"?

"Work improperly" refers to something not functioning correctly from a technical or operational standpoint. On the other hand, "work inappropriately" refers to actions or behaviors that are unsuitable or not fitting for a particular situation. The first is regarding a technical or mechanical failure and the latter to a behavioral issue.