has functioned as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has functioned as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the role or purpose that something has served over a period of time. Example: "The old factory has functioned as a community center since its closure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Despite her title, Ms. Hughes has functioned as much more than a communications director.

The New York Times

From the very beginning of Jay-Z's recording career, Brooklyn has functioned as much more than narrative detail.

The New Yorker

"I am surprised that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, so rapidly developed and enacted, has functioned as well as it has," he said.

Forbes

Todd is making dramatic changes in an athletic department that has functioned as a fiefdom.

The New York Times - Sports

"For the last two years he has functioned as a managed athlete.

The New York Times - Sports

The defense has functioned as a unit this year, appearing to be extremely organized.

The New York Times - Sports

"For much of his presidency, President Bush has functioned as the head of the Republican Party.

The New York Times

Until now, the state's Office of Counterterrorism has functioned as a kind of internal intelligence agency.

The New York Times

Hart Island has functioned as New York's indigent burial ground for over a century.

The Guardian

For most of the past decade, Brooke has functioned as Chalabi's unofficial lobbyist in Washington.

The New Yorker

For a long time, the City of London has functioned as a tax haven..

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has functioned as" to clearly describe the established role or purpose something has fulfilled over time. It indicates an ongoing or historical function rather than a one-time event.

Common error

Avoid using "has functioned as" when describing future or hypothetical roles. It's best suited for describing past or present realities. For future scenarios, consider "will function as" or "is intended to function as".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has functioned as" primarily serves as a declarative expression, indicating the role, purpose, or capacity that something has fulfilled over a period of time. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has functioned as" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the role or purpose something has served over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal writing and academic contexts, mainly in News, Science, Formal & Business categories. While alternatives such as "has served as" exist, "has functioned as" is widely understood and commonly employed in various forms of communication. Make sure to avoid to use the phrase if it's describing a future or a hypothetical role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has served as

Replaces "functioned" with "served", emphasizing a role or duty.

has acted as

Uses "acted" instead of "functioned", highlighting a temporary or assumed role.

has operated as

Substitutes "functioned" with "operated", focusing on the manner of performance or activity.

has worked as

Replaces "functioned" with "worked", stressing the active performance of a role.

has been employed as

Emphasizes the use or engagement of something in a particular role.

has performed the function of

More formal and explicit restatement of the phrase.

has fulfilled the role of

Similar to "has served as" but with a slightly stronger sense of purpose.

has played the part of

Implies a more theatrical or figurative role.

has constituted

Highlights that something has formed or composed a particular role.

has been utilized as

Focuses on the use of something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "has functioned as" in a sentence?

Use "has functioned as" to describe the role something has historically or currently fulfilled. For example, "The library "has functioned as" a community hub for decades".

What are some alternatives to "has functioned as"?

You can use alternatives such as "has served as", "has acted as", or "has operated as" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had functioned as" instead of "has functioned as"?

The choice between "had functioned as" and "has functioned as" depends on the time frame you're referring to. "Has functioned as" implies the function continues to the present, while "had functioned as" refers to a function completed in the past and is often used to provide background information.

What is the difference between "has functioned as" and "functions as"?

"Has functioned as" describes a role that something has filled over a period of time, while "functions as" describes the current or intended role. For example, "This room functions as a meeting space" indicates its current purpose.