fulfills the function of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fulfills the function of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the role or purpose that something serves in a particular context. Example: "The new software fulfills the function of streamlining our communication processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though the creakily mechanical exposition runs ninety minutes, into the second episode, it fulfills the function of, say, nine opening minutes in a feature.

The New Yorker

Most people don't think of their everyday technologies such as contact lenses and PDAs as prosthetic devices, but the basic definition of a prosthetic as a manufactured device which fulfills the function of a biological body part is applicable.

MIT Technology Review

Their HMG-box domain fulfills the function of DNA-binding, with the peculiarity that it binds DNA in the minor grove (reviewed in [18]).

Plosone

And as a result, the play fulfills the function of the festival, speaking directly to a young audience unfamiliar and perhaps uncomfortable with the idiom of the theater.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Think of the iPhone, which fulfills the functions of a watch, phone, camera, clock, DVD and CD player, barometer, and so on.

The New York Times - Arts

It fulfills the functions of dozens of products including a watch, diary, alarm clock, barometer, satellite navigation system, Internet browser, dictionary, DVD player and MP3 player as well as a phone, and that's before we come on to those 100,000 apps.

The New York Times - Arts

Hence, we suggest that this pathway fulfills the functions of a genomic immunity system capable of preventing the spread of extra-chromosomal DNA molecules of both foreign and endogenous origin in a population.

eLife

He never sounds like a guitarist, even when he's fulfilling the function of one.

The New York Times - Arts

"Neither one would fulfill the function of a stand-alone folk art museum," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

It became part of the three-piece suit by the turn of the century, fulfilling the function of pocket-watch holder.

The New York Times

I blessed the critic and read no further: he had fulfilled the function of filter admirably well, at once killing my interest in the subject of the review and in the review itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fulfills the function of", ensure that the subject clearly performs the stated role or purpose within the given context. For instance, "The software update fulfills the function of improving system security."

Common error

Avoid using "fulfills the function of" when a simpler verb like "functions as" or "serves as" would suffice. Overly complex phrasing can dilute the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fulfills the function of" primarily operates as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject is performing a specific duty or role. Ludwig AI supports this by presenting real-world examples from reputable sources demonstrating its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fulfills the function of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe how something serves a specific role or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts. While common, it's essential to consider simpler alternatives like "acts as" or "serves as" to maintain clarity and avoid unnecessary complexity. The phrase appears most frequently in news media and scientific publications, indicating a neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serves the purpose of

Replaces "fulfills the function of" with a more direct expression of purpose.

carries out the function of

Emphasizes the execution or performance of a function.

performs the role of

Emphasizes the specific role being carried out.

acts as

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a role or capacity.

operates as

Focuses on the operational role or activity.

works as

Indicates a practical or functional role.

is responsible for

Highlights the accountability for a particular function.

provides the functionality of

Highlights the capabilities or features offered.

is designed to

Focuses on the intended purpose or design.

is intended to

Similar to "is designed to", but with a slightly different emphasis on intention.

FAQs

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

Use "fulfills the function of" to describe how something serves a specific role or purpose. For example, "This department "fulfills the function of" quality control".

What are some alternatives to "fulfills the function of"?

You can use alternatives like "serves the purpose of", "acts as", or "performs the role of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fulfills the function" without the "of"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and idiomatic to include "of" after "function". Saying "fulfills the function" without "of" might sound slightly incomplete.

What's the difference between "fulfills the function of" and "serves the purpose of"?

While similar, "fulfills the function of" emphasizes the active execution of a role, whereas "serves the purpose of" focuses on the intended aim or objective. They are often interchangeable, but the subtle nuance can affect clarity depending on context.