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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

stopped functioning/malfunctioned.

Is stop functioning equal to malfunctioning? Or is stop functioning equal to stopped?

A girls feet were cut off when a free-fall thrill ride stopped functioning/malfunctioned.


Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

There is some overlap of meaning, but, as a general rule, "malfunction" usually suggests that the thing continues to do something (just not what it's supposed to do), whereas "stop functioning" usually suggests that it has stopped doing anything. In your example, "malfunctioned" is preferable. "Stopped functioning" suggests that the ride didn't move at all, in which case it wouldn't have injured the girl (presumably).

— Mr Wordy

  • There is some overlap of meaning, but, as a general rule, "malfunction" usually suggests that the thing continues to do something (just not what it's supposed to do), whereas "stop functioning" usually suggests that it has stopped doing anything.
  • In your example, "malfunctioned" is preferable.
  • "Stopped functioning" suggests that the ride didn't move at all, in which case it wouldn't have injured the girl (presumably).
  • ("girls" should be "girl's").
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2 Answers
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There is some overlap of meaning, but, as a general rule, "malfunction" usually suggests that the thing continues to do something (just not what it's supposed to do), whereas "stop functioning" usually suggests that it has stopped doing anything.

In your example, "malfunctioned" is preferable. "Stopped functioning" suggests that the ride didn't move at all, in which case it wouldn't have
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