it appears to function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears to function" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the operation or effectiveness of something, often in a tentative or observational context. Example: "After several tests, it appears to function as intended, providing accurate results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It appears to function normally.

The New York Times - Science

Thus, although the Hungarian equity market is small, it appears to function remarkably well.

Journal of Banking & Finance

In contrast, the OmpG porin is unique, as it appears to function as a monomer.

Journal of Molecular Biology

When you actually visit the company, it appears to function like a web: an automatic machine picks a variety of different items from all over large warehouses and moves them to packing.

Harvard Business Review

Art, as Mr. Byrne sees it, can "filter real stuff or present it from a particular angle so it appears to function like a metaphor for something else"; and he's frequently used bits of reality as found material in his work: the song "Once in a Lifetime" grew out of preachers' sermons he'd heard on the radio; just as the people in "True Stories" have real-life antecedents in newspaper stories.

The New York Times

It appears to function just like a regular mouse except that it's gigantic and lopsided so as to keep my claw-like hand in a more natural position.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

However, this means that simple problems are often neglected, simply because it only appears to function correctly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Discussion of the concept is complicated by the fact that privacy appears to be something we value to provide a sphere within which we can be free from interference by others, and yet it also appears to function negatively, as the cloak under which one can hide domination, degradation, or physical harm to women and others.

SEP

We have recently examined the function of the rice gene serine hydroxymethyltransferase (5-1) and found that it also appears to function in light-dependent processes [66].

Plosone

In this case, it also appears to function as a fulcrum for the fingers subdomain.

Biochemistry

However, it also appears to function via mechanisms independent of the p53 gene in response to cellular DNA damage (Roninson, 2002).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appears to function" when you want to express that something seems to be working correctly based on observation, but you are not entirely certain or do not have complete data.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears to function" when you have concrete evidence that something is fully functional. In such cases, a more definitive statement is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears to function" serves as a hedge, softening the assertion about something's functionality. It indicates a perceived or observed functionality, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples, without absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it appears to function" is a useful way to express that something seems to be working correctly based on initial observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including science and news media. It's important to use this phrase when you want to convey a sense of observation without making an absolute claim. Alternatives like "it seems to work" and "it appears to be operating" can be used to adjust the tone and emphasis of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems to work

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "function" with "work", offering a more informal tone.

it seems to be working

Adds "be working" to emphasize the ongoing nature of the function.

it appears to be operating

Substitutes "function" with "operating", implying a mechanical or systematic process.

it appears operational

Uses the adjective "operational" instead of the verb "function", making it more concise.

it looks like it's working

Replaces "appears" with "looks like", making it more conversational.

it seems functional

Uses the adjective "functional" instead of the verb "function", implying a state of being able to function.

it appears to be effective

Shifts the focus from function to effectiveness, emphasizing the outcome.

it appears to be in working order

Emphasizes the condition of being ready and able to function.

it apparently functions

Replaces "appears" with "apparently", suggesting a level of indirect evidence.

it seems to be in operation

Similar to "operating" but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "it appears to function" in a sentence?

You can use "it appears to function" to describe something that seems to be working as intended, like: "After the upgrade, the system "it appears to function" correctly."

What's a more formal way to say "it appears to function"?

A more formal alternative would be "it seems to operate as intended" or "it appears to be operating effectively".

Which is correct, "it appears to function" or "it appears functioning"?

"It appears to function" is the correct form. "It appears functioning" is grammatically incorrect.

What does ""it appears to function"" imply about the certainty of functionality?

It suggests a degree of uncertainty. It indicates that based on initial observations, something seems to be working, but further investigation may be needed to confirm its full functionality.