cannot function sufficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot function sufficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is unable to operate effectively or meet required standards. Example: "The outdated software cannot function sufficiently to support the new hardware."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is possible that an impaired defence mechanism, perhaps in the form of locally reduced CRP response in the tumour, could result in excess cellular fragments and prolonged inflammation in the tumour because CRP cannot function sufficiently to remove all cellular debris and/or apoptotic cells in the prostatic lesions.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He cannot function socially.

The Guardian - Books

It cannot function without one".

The New York Times - Books

They cannot function without the drug".

The New York Times - Health

"My family cannot function without water".

The Guardian

A company cannot function as an anarchy.

Harvard Business Review

This organization cannot function without us.

Harvard Business Review

"But with the righteous I cannot function at all".

The New York Times - Arts

"Without institutional reform this expanded union cannot function effectively".

The Guardian

All leaders have to sheathe themselves, or they cannot function.

The New Yorker

Without treatment, I cannot function; with treatment, I can.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot function sufficiently", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes sufficient function. Be specific about the required level of performance.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot function sufficiently" in situations where the problem is merely inefficiency or sub-optimality. Reserve it for cases where the ability to function is genuinely impaired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot function sufficiently" typically acts as a verb phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a deficiency in its ability to perform a specific action or role. Ludwig AI confirms that is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot function sufficiently" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is unable to operate effectively or meet the needed standards. Although Ludwig confirms its validity, the phrase is relatively rare, appearing mostly in scientific and formal contexts. Related phrases, such as "cannot operate adequately" or "cannot perform effectively", can be used as alternatives. When using this phrase, it's important to specify what constitutes sufficient function in the given context. Avoid using the phrase when the issue is mere inefficiency rather than a true inability to function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot operate adequately

Replaces "function sufficiently" with "operate adequately", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

cannot perform effectively

Substitutes "function" with "perform" and "sufficiently" with "effectively", emphasizing the lack of efficient action.

is unable to work properly

Uses "is unable to" to convey the inability to "work properly", focusing on the correct operation.

is not capable of functioning adequately

Emphasizes capability, indicating a lack of ability to function well enough.

does not function optimally

Focuses on the lack of optimal performance rather than complete inability.

is not fully functional

Highlights that the functionality is incomplete or impaired.

cannot adequately fulfill its function

Specifies that the function is not being fulfilled to a satisfactory level.

is not up to the task

Idiomatic expression indicating that something lacks the required capacity.

fails to perform adequately

Highlights the failure to meet the minimum performance standards.

is deficient in its operation

Emphasizes a deficiency or shortcoming in how something operates.

FAQs

What does "cannot function sufficiently" mean?

The phrase "cannot function sufficiently" means something is unable to operate effectively or meet the required standards for a particular task or purpose.

How can I use "cannot function sufficiently" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a system, process, or component that doesn't work well enough to fulfill its intended role. For example: "The outdated software "cannot function sufficiently" to support the new hardware".

What are some alternatives to "cannot function sufficiently"?

Some alternatives include "cannot operate adequately", "cannot perform effectively", or "is unable to work properly".

Is "cannot function sufficiently" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cannot function sufficiently" is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal writing to express that something is not working well enough.