.validate().element() returns FALSE but .elementS() returns TRUE

.validate().element() returns FALSE but .elementS() returns TRUE

A form has three elements.
This returns TRUE (not supposed as none has value)
  1.   $("#form").validate().elements();
Each individual returns FALSE (correct)
  1.   $("#form").validate().element("#input1");
  2.   $("#form").validate().element("#input2");
  3.   $("#form").validate().element("#input3");
Must be something I missed or don't know how.