cognitive functions

USAGE SUMMARY

"cognitive functions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any kind of mental process involved in thinking, problem solving, and perception. For example: "The professor discussed research into the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive functions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dehydration can affect cognitive functions.

The Economist

This influences attention, memory and cognitive functions.

The Guardian

Ketamine also impairs memory, and affects other cognitive functions.

The Guardian

Anecdotally, it seems to benefit these cognitive functions," he said.

The Guardian

Their neurological and cognitive functions will be severely affected.

The Guardian

Molaison gave scientists a way to map cognitive functions onto brain structures.

The New Yorker

During the last few years of his life, Stabler rapidly slowed down in his cognitive functions.

The Guardian - Sport

She was taken out of her coma gradually while tests were conducted on her cognitive functions.

The Guardian

They began to limit their interests to specific cognitive functions: vision, say, or speech.

The New Yorker

That has clear cognitive functions that do crossover.

The Economist

A link between anatomical differences and cognitive functions should be demonstrated and the authors have not done so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic and scientific writing, maintain consistency by clearly defining what you mean by "cognitive functions" early in your work to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cognitive functions" as a blanket term for all mental processes. Be specific about which functions you are addressing (e.g., memory, attention, language) to provide a more focused and informative analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cognitive functions" primarily functions as a noun phrase, referring to the mental processes involved in thinking, understanding, and learning. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, such as describing the impact of dehydration or disease on these functions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cognitive functions" is a widely used and grammatically sound term that refers to the mental processes involved in thinking and understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts. When using "cognitive functions", it is important to be specific about which functions are being discussed to avoid overgeneralization. Related phrases such as "mental processes" and "brain functions" can be used as alternatives depending on the context. Overall, understanding the nuances of this phrase and its usage can significantly improve the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cognitive abilities

This alternative uses the term "abilities" instead of "functions", focusing on the capacity to perform.

mental processes

This alternative focuses on the processes that occur in the mind, instead of focusing on the function.

brain functions

This alternative is more specific by using "brain" to relate the function to the physical part of the body.

intellectual abilities

This alternative uses "abilities" rather than "functions", emphasizing the capacity for intellect.

thinking skills

This alternative simplifies the phrase to focus on the skills associated with thinking.

reasoning capabilities

This alternative emphasizes the capability to reason, which is a specific type of cognitive function.

mental faculties

Using "faculties" provides a more formal and abstract way to refer to mental abilities.

higher-order thinking

This alternative refers to more complex cognitive processes such as problem-solving and decision-making.

executive functions

This alternative refers to the cognitive processes that control and regulate other cognitive abilities and behaviours.

neurological functions

This alternative emphasizes the role of the nervous system in cognitive operations.

FAQs

How can I use "cognitive functions" in a sentence?

You can use "cognitive functions" to describe mental processes such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. For example, "Sleep deprivation can impair various "cognitive functions"."

What are some alternatives to "cognitive functions"?

Alternatives to "cognitive functions" include "mental processes", "brain functions", and "intellectual abilities", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cognitive function" or "cognitive functions"?

"Cognitive function" (singular) refers to a single mental process, while "cognitive functions" (plural) refers to multiple processes. The plural form is more common when discussing a range of mental activities.

What's the difference between "cognitive functions" and "cognitive abilities"?

"Cognitive functions" refers to the specific processes carried out by the brain, while "cognitive abilities" refers to the general capacity to perform those processes. They are often used interchangeably but "cognitive abilities" implies a broader scope.