have been functional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been functional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been operating or serving its purpose over a period of time. Example: "The old machines have been functional for over a decade, proving their durability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Some of these weapons were plainly ceremonial, but in other cases they appear to have been functional.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PAGE B8 Sports IN N.B.A. FINALS, A Contrast in Temperaments In jumping out to a two-game lead in the N.B.A. Finals, the Boston Celtics have looked as fraternal as they have been functional, exchanging long embraces before the game starts.

The New York Times

In bats, early skin flaps probably would have been functional for gliding but not in powered flight (e.g., Bishop 2008).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In Darwin's own time, opponents began listing features of organisms for which incipient or intermediate stages seem unlikely to have been functional and which therefore could not have been be shaped incrementally by natural selection (e.g., Mivart 1871).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

These observations, when combined together, reveal the fact that lipid vesicles of fatty acids could have been functional in facilitating and accelerating oligomerization of monomers even prior to the evolutionary emergence of phospholipids and the vesicles thereof.

Advances in Space Research

The limbs of the 120-or-so-million-year-old, 20-centimeter-long creature are remarkably well preserved and end with five slender digits that appear to have been functional.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The story depicts a marriage that has been functional but not always that happy.

The New Yorker

"I'm in a constant state of telling myself this strange career I've had has been functional," Mr. James told me.

The New York Times - Books

A commercial e-Commerce system has been functional and ready for apparel, automobile and mobile phones.

Computers in Industry

This system has been functional as designed since installation in October 2012 on Thompson Island, Massachusetts, and is expected to operate indefinitely.

Ecological Informatics

An influential technique for the study of the human brain has been functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Encyclopedia of Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been functional", ensure that the context clearly defines what "functional" refers to. Be specific about the aspect of functionality you are highlighting to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the system has been functional", specify "the system has been functional in processing data efficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "have been functional" in excessively broad or vague statements. Instead of saying "the project has been functional", clarify the measurable outcomes or specific functions that have been successfully performed to provide more meaningful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been functional" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that something has been operating or serving its purpose over time. The examples provided by Ludwig show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been functional" is a useful way to describe something that has been working correctly over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, and while it's considered to have a neutral to formal register, it's important to use it precisely, specifying what aspect has been "functional" to avoid vagueness. Remember to consider alternatives like "have been operational" or "have been effective" to match the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been working

Replaces 'functional' with 'working', focusing on the operation aspect.

have been operational

Substitutes 'functional' with 'operational', emphasizing the state of being in service.

have been in service

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on the duration of active use.

have been effective

Changes 'functional' to 'effective', highlighting the success of the functionality.

have served its purpose

Replaces the phrase emphasizing that the functionality achieved its goal.

have fulfilled its function

Similar to 'served its purpose' but uses 'function' directly.

have been utilized

Shifts focus to the act of using something that is functional.

have been practical

Replaces 'functional' with 'practical', highlighting the usefulness.

have been viable

Indicates that something has been capable of working or developing successfully.

have been active

Emphasizes the active state or operation of something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "have been functional" in a sentence?

You can use "have been functional" to describe something that has operated correctly over a period, such as "The equipment "has been functional" since its installation" or "The department "has been functional" despite the limited resources".

What are some alternatives to "have been functional"?

Alternatives include "have been working", "have been operational", or "have been effective". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "has been functional" or "have been functional"?

"Has been functional" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "the system has been functional"), while "have been functional" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "the systems have been functional").

What does it mean when something "has been functional"?

It means that the item, system, or process has been operating correctly and serving its intended purpose over a period of time. It implies that it is not only working but also achieving the desired outcome.