function as designed

USAGE SUMMARY

"function as designed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something is working as it was intended to work. Example: After weeks of tweaking and testing, the new website is finally functioning as designed.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Looming over all those worries are doubts that the proposed technology could actually function as designed and provide an effective shield.

The New York Times

Cookies for sites that you interact with function as designed, and ads placed by web publishers will appear normally.

TechCrunch

First, We tested the LSI with false signals of X-ray CCDs to check if the circuits function as designed and confirmed the expected function of the LSI.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

One immediate concern is FCD orientation; should the RCP not be installed in the well with gravity initially pulling the internal disk downward, the FCD will not function as designed.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Although it was disappointing that the tools designed to anchor the lander to the comet did not function as designed, the mission is still likely to achieve most if not all of its objectives, providing important new information on how comets have contributed to the evolution of the solar system.

Science Magazine

Many in Europe argued that the danger was low, but those nearer to the front line – the Balts, the Poles and the Romanians – didn't share their confidence and had a reasonable expectation for NATO to function as designed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As well, Monte-Carlo methods are often required to determine the probability that the assembly functions as designed.

Mathematical and Computer Modelling

Even though a submerged structure is protected by a designed cathodic protection system, damage to the anodes or coating might result in the CP system no longer functioning as designed.

Corrosion Control for Offshore Structures Cathodic Protection and High Efficiency Coating

The building and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system receive regular maintenance to ensure that all systems are consistently functioning as designed.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Keeping the project on the books with a $2 billion life-line is of dubious legislative wisdom since the MOX facility may never function as originally designed or be reconfigured for any other purpose.

Huffington Post

The "anthology wars" contemporary poetry has been enmeshed in since the late 1800s are, at least here in America, anachronistic; the volume of literary production in the United States today is simply too great for any anthology aimed squarely at the canon-making function to function effectively as designed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "function as designed" when you want to emphasize that a system, component, or process is operating correctly according to its intended specifications. It is particularly useful in technical contexts or when evaluating performance.

Common error

Avoid using "function as designed" in a way that suggests the design itself is flawed or insufficient. The phrase should primarily indicate correct operation within the parameters of the design, not necessarily overall effectiveness or suitability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "function as designed" acts as a predicate in sentences, often modifying a noun or pronoun to describe how something operates. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and usable in English. It specifies that an item or system is working in accordance with its design specifications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "function as designed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English that means something is working as it was intended. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is suitable for describing systems, components, or processes that are operating correctly according to their intended specifications. It is most commonly found in scientific and technical contexts, as showcased in Ludwig's examples. While it's not an extremely common phrase, it provides a precise way to communicate that something is working in accordance with its design parameters. Remember to use it when emphasizing adherence to the intended operational parameters, and avoid implying the design itself is flawed, using alternative phrasing when that is the actual intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operate as intended

This alternative focuses on the action of operating and highlights the aspect of intention in the design.

perform as specified

This emphasizes the performance aspect, aligning with the specifications or requirements set during design.

work according to plan

This highlights the adherence to a pre-established plan or blueprint.

run as expected

This alternative suggests that the outcome is in line with initial expectations.

deliver as promised

This phrase emphasizes the aspect of fulfilling a commitment or expectation that was set during the design phase.

behave as programmed

This alternative specifically applies to systems or entities that are programmed to operate in a certain way, such as software or automated devices.

comport as engineered

This highlights the engineered aspect of the functioning, referring to the intended behavior of a product or system.

execute as conceived

This emphasizes the execution of an idea or design as it was initially conceived.

act as built

This focuses on the physical realization and operation in accordance with how something was constructed.

proceed as outlined

This alternative emphasizes that something is progressing according to a defined outline or procedure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "function as designed" in a sentence?

You can replace "function as designed" with phrases such as "operate as intended", "perform as specified", or "work according to plan" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "functions as designed"?

Yes, "functions as designed" is grammatically correct. It indicates that something is operating in the way it was intended or engineered to operate.

What does it mean when something "functions as designed"?

When something "functions as designed", it means that the item or system is working in the manner that was originally planned or intended by its creators or engineers. It is performing its intended purpose.

What is the difference between "function as designed" and "function as intended"?

While similar, "function as designed" emphasizes adherence to the technical specifications and engineering blueprints. "Function as intended" is more general and refers to the overall purpose or expectation.