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Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

The use of defective

Hi

Could you please tell me if my use of defective is natural here?

I couldn't go. My car was defective.

I couldn't go. My car was out of order.

Is this water cooler defective?

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

"Defective" is generally reserved for manufacturing errors as opposed to breakdowns. "Out of order" is the correct choice in this context. My car is broken down.

— Avangi

  • "Defective" is generally reserved for manufacturing errors as opposed to breakdowns.
  • "Out of order" is the correct choice in this context.
  • My car is broken down.
  • My car is not working.
  • Actually, "out of order" is more commonly used for equipment over which you yourself have no control.
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1 Answers
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"Defective" is generally reserved for manufacturing errors as opposed to breakdowns.
"Out of order" is the correct choice in this context.

My car is broken down.

My car is not working.

Actually, "out of order" is more commonly used for equipment over which you yourself have no control.

My phone service is out of order.

The A
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