function as normal

USAGE SUMMARY

"function as normal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is operating in its usual or expected manner. Example: Despite the power outage, the emergency generators were able to function as normal and keep the hospital running smoothly.

✓ Grammatically correct

Cell Death and Disease

The Guardian

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New York Times

Forbes

TechCrunch

BBC

Huffington Post

Los Angeles Times

Plosone

BioMed Research International

Disability and Rehabilitation

Biology and Philosophy

European Journal of Epidemiology

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Critical Care

eLife

EMBO Reports

BMC Family Practice

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

WikiHow

Annals of Intensive Care

Vice

SEP

The Guardian - Sport

Cell Research

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Science Magazine

The Times

Independent

Columbia University

The Economist

The Guardian - Tech

British Medical Journal

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stanford University

BMC Nephrology

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

We report for the first time that upon differentiation LAMA-84 cells formed proplatelets and produced functional PLPs capable of aggregation and thus function as normal platelets.

Cell Death and Disease

The school will function as normal.

The Guardian

Click languages, a group of languages found only in Africa in which clicks function as normal consonants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite what was a grave medical emergency, Sierra Leone and the other affected countries largely continued to function as normal, and people went about their business as usual, with some adaptations for infection-prevention protocols".

The Guardian

But this doesn't mean it's an invalid term, it's just more of a rule-of-thumb or generalisation used to refer to what happens when someone becomes psychologically unable to function as normal.

The Guardian

"And you cannot place huge reliance on any short-term overnight market if you don't ask yourself, 'What am I going to do if that market doesn't function as normal?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We are currently looking into why this happened and expect to have the clock functioning as normal as soon as possible".

The Guardian - Sport

They play a crucial role in brain function, as well as normal growth and development.

HuffPost

We cross checked the results for mid-life marital status and confirmed them with ordinal logistic regression (cognitive function as normal-mild cognitive impairment-Alzheimer's disease).

British Medical Journal

These were integrated into the elephant genome, where they functioned as normal DNA.

The Times

People go out, go to work, everything functions as normal.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process, use "function as normal" to assure the reader that no disruptions or changes have occurred. For example, "Despite the server maintenance, the website continued to "function as normal".

Common error

While "function as normal" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms such as "operate as expected" or "work properly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "function as normal" primarily serves as a descriptive phrase, indicating that something is operating in its typical or expected state. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. The examples show it applying to diverse subjects, from schools to bodily functions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "function as normal" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is operating in its expected or usual manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common expression found across diverse contexts, including news, scientific literature, and general communication. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "operate as expected" or "work properly" can enhance your writing. The phrase's primary function is to convey stability or continuity, making it a useful tool for providing reassurance or information about the state of a system, process, or entity. While often found in News & Media and Science contexts, its register remains neutral, making it widely applicable. Overall, it is a useful phrase to know to describe a situation that is stable and predictable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operate as expected

Replaces 'function' with 'operate' and 'normal' with 'expected', focusing on the anticipated behavior.

work properly

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the correct operation of something.

perform normally

Emphasizes the performance aspect of functioning in a typical manner.

run as usual

Suggests that something is running or operating in its customary way.

behave typically

Focuses on the typical behavior or conduct of something.

maintain normal operation

Highlights the continuation of a standard operational state.

remain in working order

Indicates that something is still in a condition where it can function effectively.

continue to work as before

Emphasizes the continuity of working in a previously established manner.

proceed without interruption

Implies that something is continuing without any disruptions to its normal course.

follow the standard procedure

Highlights adherence to a set of established steps or guidelines.

FAQs

How can I use "function as normal" in a sentence?

You can use "function as normal" to describe a system, process, or entity that is operating in its expected or usual manner. For example, "Even after the software update, the application continued to "function as normal".

What are some alternatives to "function as normal"?

Some alternatives include "operate as expected", "work properly", or "perform normally". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "functioning as normal" instead of "function as normal"?

Yes, "functioning as normal" is also correct and often used. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "functioning as normal" emphasizes the ongoing process, while "function as normal" describes the capability or state.

What is the difference between "business as usual" and "function as normal"?

"Business as usual" typically refers to the continuation of standard business operations, while "function as normal" is a more general phrase that can apply to any system, process, or entity. For example, a hospital's emergency room might "function as normal" even when "business as usual" is disrupted by a major accident.