function as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "function as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is serving a particular purpose, akin to the role it would normally have. For example, "This lamp functions as a night light in my hallway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He can serve that function as well as the C.E.O.

The New York Times

The gap was closed in function, as well as form.

The Guardian - Tech

Two function as offices.

The New York Times

They function as undercover agents.

The New Yorker

Protruding cannons function as waterspouts.

The New York Times - Magazine

Charnel houses once again function as hospitals.

The Economist

The titles function as apostrophes of meaning.

The New Yorker

Should George Davis function as the narrator?

The New Yorker

Ion exchangers can function as catalysts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Institutions failed to function as they should.

The New Yorker

They function as the first clocks.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "function as" to clearly define the role or purpose something serves in a specific context. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure that the tense of "function as" aligns with the overall tense of the sentence. Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence when describing the role or purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "function as" primarily operates as a linking verb, connecting a subject to a noun or noun phrase that renames or describes the subject's role or purpose. Ludwig examples show this in contexts like "They function as undercover agents" and "The ovens also function as regular microwave ovens".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "function as" serves to define a role or purpose, acting as a linking verb in a sentence. As indicated by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct and it sees very common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When you want to emphasize the serving role of an element, you can confidently use "function as".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve as

Focuses on the role or purpose that something fulfills.

act as

Emphasizes the performance of a particular role or action.

operate as

Highlights the way something works or performs its function.

work as

Indicates that something is performing a job or task.

perform the function of

More formal and explicit about the role being fulfilled.

play the role of

Highlights the part something or someone takes in a specific context.

be used as

Focuses on the utility of something for a specific purpose.

fulfill the role of

Emphasizes the completion or execution of a defined role.

constitute

Implies that something makes up or forms a particular thing.

duplicate the purpose of

This alternative has a low similarity because it emphasizes how things may have the same intent.

FAQs

How to use "function as" in a sentence?

Use "function as" to describe the role or purpose of something. For example, "This room can "serve as" both an office and a guest room".

What can I say instead of "function as"?

You can use alternatives like ""serve as"", "act as", or "operate as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "functions like" instead of "function as"?

While "functions like" is grammatically correct, it implies a similarity rather than a direct role. "Function as" indicates that something directly serves a specific purpose. For example, "This tool functions as a lever" indicates it is a lever, while "functions like a lever" implies it resembles a lever in its operation.

What is the difference between "function as" and "be used as"?

"Function as" describes the primary or intended role of something, while "be used as" describes how something is utilized, which may not be its primary purpose. For example, "This room functions as an office" describes its intended use, whereas "This box can "be used as" a temporary table" suggests an alternative or secondary use.