functioning brilliantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "functioning brilliantly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is operating exceptionally well or performing at a high level. Example: "The new software update is functioning brilliantly, making tasks much easier for the users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Having to get up at night to drive into the hospital not only wastes time, but also means you are not functioning brilliantly the next day".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Despite the comic lesson in wise consumerism, fans of the Paper Bag Players, who perform this skit in their latest show, know what magic cardboard can really do: for more than 50 years this troupe has been turning paper and packing boxes into dandy dynamos that function brilliantly.

The New York Times - Arts

The educational system functioned brilliantly and the city hospitals served the poor gratis.

Forbes

It was very well explained and exemplified that enzymes function brilliantly in organic solvents in the presence/absence of added water [ 5].

BioMed Research International

Some markets are binary too, in the sense that they either function brilliantly or not at all.Housing, the subject of my last post, is a classic example.

The Economist

This is partly because there is only one of them and partly because the criteria have changed so that the nominee is expected to perform both functions brilliantly.

Independent

But Singer's interpretation functions brilliantly as a psychological character study of the various disenfranchised souls who comprise the X-Men, a metaphor for society's suspicion of outsiders of any stripe, and a thrilling old-school action movie characterised by dazzling special-effects and action set-pieces.

The Guardian - Film

But that's a novel!" Sorry, novel readers--Olive Kitteridge is actually a collection of short stories, each of which functions brilliantly as an individual piece.

Huffington Post

The novelist creates a virtual world too, and its technology is no less dazzling -- what better measure of supreme engineering than to execute a function brilliantly but in the simplest possible way -- yet when we leave it our understanding and appreciation for the physical world is enhanced rather than blurred, or commitment to life strengthened as opposed to diluted or exhausted.

Huffington Post

NoMeansNo function just brilliantly as an exciting, whacked-out punk group with lots of gnarly sounding phrases to shout along with after a few beers if that's your thing.

The Guardian - Music

Brilliantly, it functioned as both.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "functioning brilliantly" to emphasize not just that something works, but that it works exceptionally well, exceeding expectations. For instance, describing a new engine as "functioning brilliantly" suggests it's more than just operational; it's performing at a high level.

Common error

While "functioning brilliantly" is valid, avoid overusing it in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler terms like "working well" or "doing great" might be more appropriate. Keep the level of the expression consistent with your communication context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "functioning brilliantly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing the exceptional quality of the functioning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "functioning brilliantly" is a phrase used to describe something operating at an exceptionally high level of performance. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news, science, and professional communications. While the phrase is valid, it should be used judiciously, considering the formality of the context. Alternatives like "operating exceptionally well" or "performing outstandingly" can be used to achieve a similar effect with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase, while uncommon, appears in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, lending credibility to its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating exceptionally well

Replaces "functioning" with "operating" and "brilliantly" with "exceptionally well", emphasizing performance quality.

performing outstandingly

Substitutes "functioning" with "performing" and "brilliantly" with "outstandingly", highlighting the level of performance.

working perfectly

Replaces "functioning brilliantly" with a phrase indicating flawless operation.

running smoothly

Implies effortless and efficient operation, replacing "functioning brilliantly" with a focus on ease.

doing a stellar job

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate excellent performance, replacing the original phrase entirely.

excelling in its function

Highlights that the subject is not just functioning well, but exceeding expectations in its purpose.

achieving optimal performance

More formal, emphasizing that the best possible performance is being attained.

performing admirably

Replaces "functioning" with "performing" and "brilliantly" with "admirably", focusing on the praiseworthy nature of the performance.

working like a charm

Uses a simile to convey that something is functioning very well and effectively.

operating at peak efficiency

Focuses on the efficiency aspect of performance, suggesting that the system is functioning at its best.

FAQs

How can I use "functioning brilliantly" in a sentence?

You can use "functioning brilliantly" to describe something performing exceptionally well. For example, "The new software is "functioning brilliantly", significantly improving our workflow."

What are some alternatives to "functioning brilliantly"?

Some alternatives include "operating exceptionally well", "performing outstandingly", or "working perfectly". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "functioning brilliantly" or "functioning well"?

"Functioning brilliantly" implies a higher degree of success or effectiveness than "functioning well". Use "functioning brilliantly" when you want to emphasize exceptional performance; otherwise, "functioning well" is a suitable and more common alternative.

What does it mean when something is described as "functioning brilliantly"?

When something is described as "functioning brilliantly", it means it's operating at a very high level of performance, exceeding expectations and demonstrating exceptional effectiveness. It's working not just adequately, but remarkably well.