is purely a function of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is purely a function of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is determined solely by a specific factor or variable. Example: "The success of the project is purely a function of the team's collaboration and communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Membership of the blue-chip collection is purely a function of market capitalisation; once you're in, the only way out is if you fall out of the top-100 ranking by value or delist.

The Guardian - Business

"Guns & Ammo's role in popularizing the platform is purely a function of reader interest and the platform's unique adaptability for a wide range of sporting purposes," Mr. James wrote.

The New York Times

It is purely a function of supply and demand, a scarcity of good deals and a glut of willing capital.

TechCrunch

The density and location of imaginary lifelines in this diagram, omitting migration, is purely a function of birth cohort size and survival.

Genus

We also show that for the classical case when the state equilibrium does not change with the disturbance, and when the plant output is purely a function of the state, there is no local asymptotic observer for the plant.

Mathematical and Computer Modelling

According to Frankfurt, if freely willed action for which an agent is morally responsible is purely a function of the relation between an agent's will and her second-order volitions, then it does not matter in any way how an agent came to have that particular mesh.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"That's purely a function of changes in the economy".

The New York Times

The trial, with its attendant expense and emotional trauma, Bruck intimated, was purely a function of the government's desire to pursue the death penalty.

The New Yorker

Silver said the decision was "purely a function of the calendar and drop-dead dates with hotels and the arena," and was not intended as any signal to the union.

The New York Times - Sports

It's purely a function of question design".

Science Magazine

Reductions in vibration level are shown to be purely a function of the number of tiles per structural wavelength.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is purely a function of" to clearly and concisely state that one variable or factor completely determines another, leaving no room for other influences. This is particularly useful in scientific, mathematical, and technical contexts where precision is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "is purely a function of" when multiple factors contribute to an outcome. Overstating causation can lead to inaccurate analysis and misrepresentation of complex relationships. Instead, use phrases that acknowledge multiple influences, such as "is primarily a function of" or "is significantly influenced by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is purely a function of" serves as a copular verb construction, indicating that the value or state of one entity or phenomenon is entirely determined by another. As indicated by Ludwig, this structure signifies a deterministic relationship.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is purely a function of" precisely defines a deterministic relationship, indicating that one thing entirely depends on another. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in both academic and general contexts, especially in Science and News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a purely deterministic relationship, avoiding its use when multiple factors are at play. Consider alternatives like "is solely determined by" or "is exclusively based on" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is solely determined by

Changes the phrasing to emphasize the single determining factor.

is entirely dependent on

Uses 'dependent' to highlight reliance on a specific factor.

is exclusively based on

Emphasizes that there are no other considerations.

is completely determined by

Uses 'completely' to reinforce the total influence of the factor.

is uniquely a product of

Suggests the outcome is only created by one thing.

results solely from

Highlights the outcome and its singular cause.

is nothing but a consequence of

Adds a touch of explicitness, emphasizing that there is nothing more than the consequence.

is merely a result of

Uses 'merely' to potentially downplay the importance or complexity.

is simply due to

Simplifies the expression, indicating a straightforward cause-and-effect relationship.

hinges exclusively on

Uses a more evocative verb to suggest critical dependence.

FAQs

How can I use "is purely a function of" in a sentence?

Use "is purely a function of" to indicate that one thing entirely depends on or is determined by another. For example, "Membership of the blue-chip collection is purely a function of market capitalisation."

What does "is purely a function of" mean?

It means that the outcome or value is determined entirely by the factor mentioned, with no other influences affecting it. Similar to saying something "is solely determined by" or "is exclusively based on".

Is it correct to say "is purely a function of" in academic writing?

Yes, it's a perfectly acceptable and often precise way to express dependency in academic and scientific contexts. Just ensure the context truly supports the claim that the relationship is purely deterministic.

What are some alternatives to "is purely a function of" that I can use to vary my writing?

You could use alternatives like "is entirely dependent on", "results solely from" or "hinges exclusively on" to add variety while maintaining a similar meaning.