act as a vector

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act as a vector" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to biology, mathematics, or communication, where something is serving as a means to convey or transmit something else. Example: "In this experiment, the virus acts as a vector to deliver the genetic material into the host cells."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Groundwater colloids can act as a vector which enhances the migration of contaminants.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Mosquitoes act as a vector for the disease, picking up the virus from infected birds and transmitting it to other birds, and to humans, that they bite.

The New York Times

The biodistribution of drugs encapsulated in a nanoobject that will act as a vector can be modified to tune its therapeutic efficacy.

Trends in Biotechnology

A macromolecule may be designed to act as a vector or carrier for a drug specifically "engineered" to avoid side effects, and capable of precise delivery of its "payload" with the help of targeting and release functionalities.

University of California, Berkeley

The objective of this study was to determine if the ultrasound probe can act as a vector for cross-infection and to compare two cleaning methods for ultrasound probes in order to limit or control the transmission risk.

Annales Françaises d'Anesthésie et de Réanimation

Insects act as a vector for the disease.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Since force acts as a vector in space, it is conceivable that mechanical stabilization by ligand binding is dependent on the direction of force application.

Journal of Molecular Biology

As Fauci explained, the chimp adenovirus does not copy itself but acts as a vector and delivers the Ebola genes to human cells, which then should make proteins that trigger an immune response.

Science Magazine

This aphid also acts as a vector for viruses that cause plant disease and the honeydew it secretes may encourage the growth of sooty mould.

Wikipedia

The virus envelope not only protects the genome and core virion proteins but also acts as a vector to transfer genome between host cells.

Plosone

The small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus) is an important agricultural pest that not only damages rice plants by sap-sucking, but also acts as a vector that transmits rice stripe virus (RSV), which can cause even more serious yield loss.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "act as a vector", ensure the context clearly defines what is being transmitted or conveyed. Clarity is key to effective communication, especially in scientific or technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "act as a vector" in situations where the role is vague or undefined. Ensure that the "vector's" function and the element it carries are explicitly stated to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act as a vector" functions as a verb phrase, describing the role or function of a subject in transmitting or conveying something else. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage across various contexts, from disease transmission to gene delivery.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "act as a vector" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, typically found in scientific and technical contexts. As indicated by Ludwig, it serves to describe the role of an entity in transmitting or conveying something else. While not exceedingly common, it's frequently encountered in science, news, and academic domains. Related phrases include "function as a carrier" and "serve as a medium". When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

function as a carrier

Emphasizes the role of transporting or conveying something from one place to another.

act as a vehicle

Highlights a way to achieve a particular result.

serve as a medium

Highlights the role of facilitating transmission or communication.

function as a bridge

Highlights the role in linking or connecting two things.

work as an agent

Focuses on actively causing an effect or change.

operate as a conduit

Stresses the passage or channel through which something flows.

serve as an instrument

Suggests a role in bringing about or achieving something.

play a role in

Indicates participation or involvement in a process.

be a means of

A more general way of expressing how something is achieved.

facilitate the transfer

Focuses on making the process of transmission easier.

FAQs

How can I use "act as a vector" in a sentence?

You can use "act as a vector" to describe something that transmits or conveys something else. For example, "Mosquitoes "act as a vector" for diseases like malaria."

What is a simpler way to say "act as a vector"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "function as a carrier", "serve as a medium", or "operate as a conduit" to convey a similar meaning.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "act as a vector"?

The phrase "act as a vector" is suitable in scientific, technical, and medical contexts where transmission or conveyance is discussed. It's also applicable in other fields when describing something that facilitates the movement or spread of something else.

What is the difference between "act as a vector" and "play a role in"?

"Act as a vector" specifically implies a role in transmission or conveyance, while "play a role in" is a more general term indicating involvement or contribution to a process without necessarily implying transmission.