describe the function of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describe the function of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to explain the purpose or role of a specific object, concept, or process. Example: "In your report, please describe the function of the heart in the circulatory system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The authors first describe the function of NF-κB in different types of immune cells.

Nature

We describe the function of an additional domain insertion that is present in the mammalian mitochondrial initiation factor 2 (mtIF2).

Nature

This finding is consistent with a recent study that was conducted to describe the function of the dorsal fronto-parietal networks while performing goal-directed actions41.

Nature

To describe the function of the flux profile requires measuring the flux of blown sand at different heights.

Geomorphology

It is, accordingly, no surprise to find one of the earliest attempts to describe the function of international trade within that highly nationalistic body of thought now known as mercantilism.

Britannica

"We can infer a variety of things about language use automatically," she said, rather than writing rules for the computer that try to describe the function of every word in a sentence.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Economists describe the functioning of markets, operations researchers simulate financial flow processes, and behavioral scientists explain the needs and goals of people.

Harvard Business Review

The resulting framework can be used to describe the functioning of TDTs and improve future TDTs.

Teaching and Teacher Education

Another example of a large curated database is UniProt-GOA, which uses concepts in gene ontology to describe the functions of specific genes26,27.

Nature

More recently, and especially in the past two decades, advancements in tools and methodologies have vastly improved scientists' ability to describe the functions of living organisms in quantitative terms.

Princeton University

Here we describe the functions of Ddr and its interactions with integrin, Vegfr, and BMP-Smad signaling pathways in regulating cell-matrix adhesion and collective polarity during TVC migration.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "describe the function of", ensure you provide a clear and concise explanation of the purpose or role of the subject you are describing. Avoid jargon unless your audience is familiar with it.

Common error

Don't simply state what something does without explaining how it does it. For instance, instead of saying "This button activates the system", describe how the button press leads to system activation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describe the function of" serves as an instructional directive, prompting an explanation of the role or purpose of a particular entity, process, or concept. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in academic and scientific contexts, as well as more general writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

11%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "describe the function of" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that prompts an explanation of the purpose or role of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially formal and scientific writing. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific sources but also appears in news, media, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure your description is clear, concise, and avoids unnecessary jargon. Consider alternatives like "explain the purpose of" or "outline the role of" to vary your writing. Remember to explain how something functions, not just what it does.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain the purpose of

Focuses on the reason for something's existence or use, instead of its workings.

outline the role of

Highlights the part something plays in a larger system or process.

detail the operation of

Emphasizes the process or sequence of actions by which something works.

illustrate the workings of

Suggests a visual or clear explanation of how something functions.

specify the job of

Directly addresses the responsibilities or tasks associated with a role or component.

define the functionality of

Centers on the capabilities and features that something offers.

elucidate the mechanism of

Implies a more in-depth explanation of the process or system.

clarify the utility of

Emphasizes the usefulness or benefits that something provides.

portray how something acts

Focuses on the action and behavior of the object in certain situation.

characterize the performance of

Underlines how the performance is.

FAQs

How can I use "describe the function of" in a sentence?

Use "describe the function of" when you need to explain the purpose or role of something. For example, "Can you describe the function of this particular gene?"

What is a good substitute for "describe the function of"?

Alternatives include "explain the purpose of", "outline the role of", or "detail the operation of", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "describe the function of" or "explain the function of"?

Both "describe the function of" and "explain the function of" are correct, but "describe" often implies a more detailed account, whereas "explain" suggests clarifying the purpose.

What's the difference between "describe the function of" and "define the function of"?

"Describe the function of" involves explaining the workings or purpose, while "define the function of" is more about setting out a clear and precise meaning or scope. For example, "define the function of" a mathematical term.