Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
function alike
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "function alike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more entities that operate in a similar manner or have similar roles. Example: "The two software applications may have different interfaces, but they function alike in terms of data processing."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
Not all C.S.A.'s function alike.
News & Media
He said it was one of the most apparent cases of convergent evolution, where two unrelated organisms evolve to look or function alike because of the similar niches they fill in their environments.
News & Media
Since that time, researchers have assumed that all ipRGCs look and function alike, at once regulating both the light responses of pupil dilation and synchronization of the body's internal clock to daylight hours, known as circadian rhythm.
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
That would squeeze defense and domestic government functions alike.
News & Media
Slightly simplifying things by limiting ourselves to the sublunary world (cf. De Anima 2.2, 413a32; 2.3, 415a9), we can describe the theory as furnishing a unified explanatory framework within which all vital functions alike, from metabolism to reasoning, are treated as functions performed by natural organisms of suitable structure and complexity.
Science
Despite the clear importance of the jejunum in both absorptive and secretory functions alike, it remains an understudied region in models of diabetes and obesity.
Schizophrenia and antipsychotic drugs are here widely documented cases in point, where changes of monoaminergic activity clearly affect peripheral and central functions alike.
It might be thought that since Aristotle's theory treats mental functions and other vital functions exactly alike, it obscures a crucial distinction.
Science
2. This sentence may be seen to formalize a well-known metatheorem about well-behaved sequent and consecution calculi — without explicating some of the technical details. 3. The formal notions of algorithms, computable functions and alike had not yet been formulated at the time when Schönfinkel published his paper.
Science
In this analysis, a T-function IA and an I-function IA behave alike with regard to extraction: in both cases, it is the applied object that is advanced as the trigger, regardless of whether the applied object is a(n) beneficiary/instrument or a transported theme/causand.
Science
While the adaptation of w in this paper is alike sigmoid function.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "function alike" to clearly and concisely describe systems or components that perform similar roles or operations, particularly when emphasizing their interchangeability or shared purpose. This phrasing is suitable when drawing parallels between different entities or processes.
Common error
Avoid using "function alike" when "similar functions" or "operate similarly" would be more natural and precise. "Alike" should enhance the comparison, not replace a straightforward description of similarity. For example, instead of saying "The two systems function alike, but differ in speed", try "The two systems have similar functions, but differ in speed".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "function alike" primarily serves as a comparative verb phrase. It modifies a subject by asserting that it operates in a manner similar to another subject, establishing a functional equivalence or resemblance. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct, which validates its role in conveying similarity in function.
Frequent in
Science
34%
News & Media
33%
Academia
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "function alike" is a phrase used to express that two or more things operate in a similar manner. While grammatically sound and understood, it is not a particularly common phrase, as noted by Ludwig. Its usage spans across scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating a versatile but not overly frequent presence in writing. As Ludwig AI confirmed, the phrase is appropriate and correctly used when the goal is to highlight the similarity in the way different elements perform or relate to each other. Alternatives like "operate similarly" or "work in the same way" can offer a more natural phrasing in certain contexts.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Function identically
Implies an exact match in function without variation.
Operate similarly
Emphasizes a comparable mode of operation rather than an exact duplicate.
Work in the same way
Highlights the similarity in the method or process used.
Behave identically
Focuses on the output or observable actions being the same.
Serve a similar function
Stresses the shared purpose or role.
Perform alike
Highlights the comparable execution or achievement.
Act in a similar manner
Emphasizes the similarity in how something is done.
Operate in a comparable fashion
Suggests a parallel yet slightly distinct method of operation.
Work equivalently
Stresses the equivalent effect or outcome.
Have analogous functions
Indicates a similarity in function based on analogy.
FAQs
How can I use "function alike" in a sentence?
You can use "function alike" to describe different entities that perform the same or similar tasks. For example, "Although they look different, these two apps "function alike"".
What's a good alternative to "function alike"?
Alternatives to "function alike" include "operate similarly", "work in the same way", or "behave identically", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it grammatically correct to say "function alike"?
Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "function alike", though it's important to ensure it fits the context. It's most suitable when directly comparing the functionality of two or more things.
What is the difference between "function alike" and "similar functions"?
"Function alike" directly compares how things operate, emphasizing their operational similarity, whereas "similar functions" simply states that they have functions that are similar. "The two systems "function alike"" means they perform in a similar way; "The two systems have similar functions" just means their roles are comparable.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested