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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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in a function

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a function" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing mathematics or computer programming, and you are referring to a specific task or operation within a program or process. For example: "This equation must be processed in a function before inserting the result into the database."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Barry John recalled having to pick out shards of glass embedded in a function room wall.

As Laird sits in a function room overlooking the rain-drenched Glanford Park pitch, Robins occupies an office down the corridor.

The government should get out of the business of assuming risk — which hinders markets in a function they can handle better.

The meeting was in a function room somewhere within the vastness of the Orleans Hotel and Casino, a coach-class establishment a couple of miles from the Strip.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Carson's election night party was held in a function room of the Crowne Plaza in Nashua, about 20 minutes south of Manchester.

News & Media

The Guardian

Many managers have leading roles both in a function and on a council or board, which fosters co-operation.

News & Media

The Economist

Beenash Faris remembers one of the first public meetings Galloway held, just three weeks ago, in a function room of the Cafe Regal, "a new concept in Kashmiri, Pakistani and Indian casual dining" situated in Bradford's White Abbey Road.

News & Media

The Guardian

But, see 'ere, I'm a driver, I am, so I can't intirely forget meself in a function, roight, I've got to keep me beady eyes peeled for — [CRASH] — Oh, crikey!

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Reduta Jazz Club is the city's most "muso" jazz club, hosting huge stars in a function-hall atmosphere.

News & Media

BBC

This procedure does not presuppose prior knowledge of X's function or prior knowledge of X's membership in a function-specific classification of traits.

Science

SEP

Allosteric effects can enhance the binding specificity in a function-oriented manner.

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing code, be specific about what part of the process occurs "in a function" to avoid ambiguity. For example, clarify if you mean during execution, as part of its definition, or involving its return values.

Common error

Avoid using "in a function" when you actually mean 'as a function of'. For example, don't say 'The output is managed in a function of time' when you mean 'The output is managed as a function of time'.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a function" primarily serves as a prepositional phrase, indicating location or context, especially within technical or formal discussions. It specifies that an action, element, or process occurs within the scope of a defined function, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a function" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify the context or location of an action or element, particularly within technical discussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various settings, especially science, news and media, and formal business contexts.

While alternatives like "within a function" or "as part of a function" offer slight variations in meaning, "in a function" maintains broad applicability. A key distinction to remember is its difference from "as a function of", which denotes dependency rather than location. Understanding the context and intended meaning will guide the most appropriate usage, ensuring clarity and precision in communication.

FAQs

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

Use "in a function" to describe something that occurs or exists as part of a function's operation, definition, or purpose. For instance, "The calculation is performed "within a function" to ensure accuracy".

What's the difference between "in a function" and "as a function of"?

"In a function" indicates something is contained or occurring within a defined function. "As a function of" means that something varies or depends on another variable, mathematically or conceptually.

Can I use "in a function" to describe a role or responsibility?

While "in a function" can imply a role if the function itself describes a role, it's more commonly used to describe the location or context of an action. Using phrases like "performing a function" or "serving a function" might be clearer in those situations.

What can I say instead of "in a function" to sound more formal?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "within a routine", "as part of a procedure", or "during the execution of a function" to achieve a more formal tone.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: