became functional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became functional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has started to work or operate as intended after a period of being non-functional or inactive. Example: "After several weeks of repairs, the old machine finally became functional again."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Though it has not been clearly documented, there is strong evidence that he became functional president.

The Guardian

The CCA has produced more than 34 Expert Panel Reports since it became functional in 2005.

Nature

Their running game, once nonexistent, became functional and then a weapon, through technical adjustments rather than brute force.

The New York Times - Sports

These capillary-like structures became functional blood vessels through anastomosis with the host vasculature after implantation in nude mice.

Biomaterials

After a month, my own speech became functional – "Could you pass the salt?" "Shall we go for a walk?" – but I couldn't have a conversation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The four wells observed in this study became functional between 2005 and 2007 and have injected roughly 1 billion gallons of water back below ground.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

When music becomes functional, rhythm often defines the function: pacing manual labor, galvanizing dancers, rallying marchers or summoning spirits.

The New York Times - Arts

Inverting the familiar dictum that "form follows function", Niemeyer demonstrated instead that, "When a form creates beauty it becomes functional and therefore fundamental in architecture".

The Guardian - Arts

For me that perception then becomes functional truth.

The New York Times - Health

The addresses are expected to become functional later this year.

The New York Times

It will become functional in a future release.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the functionality of a system, use "became functional" to denote a clear transition from a non-operational state to a working one. This emphasizes the moment of change.

Common error

While "became functional" is accurate, sometimes simpler alternatives like "started working" or "began operating" are more appropriate, especially in informal contexts. Choose the clearest and most concise wording for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became functional" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. It describes the moment when something transitions from a non-operational state to an operational one. Ludwig examples show it applies to various subjects, from genes to machinery.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became functional" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the moment something transitions into an operational state. According to Ludwig, its use spans across various contexts, including science, news, and formal communications. While versatile, remember that simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings. Pay attention to the context and choose the most direct phrasing that best suits your intention and audience. Ensure you're highlighting the transition to an operational state and not simply stating that something works.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started functioning

Focuses more on the initiation of the function rather than the state of being functional.

became operational

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes readiness for operation in a system or process.

began to work

A more basic way of expressing the start of operation, lacking the nuance of 'functional'.

became usable

Focuses on the utility aspect; something is now able to be used.

became effective

Focuses on the successful or intended outcome of the function.

was activated

Highlights the action of activating a feature that then makes it functional.

was enabled

Suggests something was made able to function, often through a specific action or setting.

turned on

A simple way of saying that something started working, usually in the context of machines.

came into service

Implies readiness for use, often in a professional or public service context.

kicked in

An informal way to indicate when something became functional or effective, often suddenly.

FAQs

How can I use "became functional" in a sentence?

You can use "became functional" to describe the moment something starts working as intended. For example, "After the software update, the feature "became functional"."

What are some alternatives to "became functional"?

Alternatives include "started working", "became operational", or "began to work", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "became functional" or "started functioning"?

"Became functional" and "started functioning" are both correct, but "became functional" emphasizes the state of being able to work, while "started functioning" focuses on the action of beginning to work. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

What does it mean when something "became functional"?

When something "became functional", it means that it transitioned from a state where it was not working or operating to a state where it is now capable of performing its intended function or purpose.