key functions in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key functions in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe important roles or responsibilities within a specific context, such as a job, organization, or system. Example: "The software has several key functions in managing user data and ensuring security."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As seven of the symbiont-specific genes are no longer functional in the obligate ' Nostoc azollae' 0708, these may in turn have key functions in the re-establishment of plant-cyanobacterial associations.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

These core genes likely encode key functions in the degradation of plant biomass.

Nature

Wetlands provide key functions in the landscape from improving water quality, to regulating flows, to providing wildlife habitat.

Ecological Indicators

Caspase-3 shows key functions in apoptosis, mediating apoptotic cascade from the intrinsic and extrinsic activation pathways.

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities

Successions of cultivable groups of microorganisms (guilds) with assumed key functions in nutrient cycling were assessed under different water regimes.

Applied Soil Ecology

What Beeson is alluding to is the separation of two key functions in the film industry: distributors – the sales agents who own the local rights to individual films – and exhibitors, who own the cinemas and book the films in.

The Guardian - Film

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rothman and colleagues identified a set of molecules, a protein called NSF and a family of proteins known as SNAP, that serve key functions in membrane trafficking.

Britannica

Over the past few years, scientists have found that these molecules, called microRNAs, are involved in key functions in cells and are linked to the development of certain cancers and other diseases.

MIT Technology Review

In particular, CB1 receptor antagonists have been described to possess key functions in the treatment of obesity and obesity‐related pathologies.

Vitamins & Hormones

In mammals, the DM molecules are encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and execute key functions in the class II antigen presentation pathway.

Molecular Immunology

With the increased use of software for running key functions in modern society it is of utmost importance to understand software robustness and how to support it.

Information and Software Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key functions in", ensure the context clearly defines the system or area where these functions are crucial. This helps to avoid ambiguity and emphasizes the importance of the identified functions.

Common error

Avoid using "key functions in" when the functions are obvious or trivial. Reserve this phrase for instances where the functions are genuinely critical and contribute significantly to the overall outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key functions in" acts as a noun phrase modifier. It highlights specific functions that are essential or crucial within a particular system, process, or entity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse fields, from biology to film industry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "key functions in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the crucial roles within a given system or context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various writing styles, though it appears most commonly in scientific and technical domains. When deploying this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overuse in trivial instances to maintain its impact. The examples listed by Ludwig provide further guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential roles in

Replaces "key functions" with "essential roles", maintaining the meaning of fundamental importance.

fundamental roles in

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the "roles", similar to "key functions".

critical tasks in

Substitutes "functions" with "tasks" implying specific duties that are crucial.

vital responsibilities within

Uses "responsibilities" instead of "functions", emphasizing the duties aspect, and changes "in" to "within".

significant duties in

Replaces "key functions" with "significant duties", highlighting the importance of the responsibilities.

core operations within

Focuses on operational aspects, replacing "functions" with "operations" and "in" with "within".

central processes for

Highlights processes instead of functions, using "for" to connect to the subsequent activity.

primary mechanisms of

Emphasizes the mechanistic aspect, changing "functions" to "mechanisms" and "in" to "of".

principal activities related to

Shifts the focus to actions or "activities" that are related to a specific area.

major components of

Highlights the compositional aspect, referring to significant parts of a system or process.

FAQs

How can I use "key functions in" in a sentence?

Use "key functions in" to highlight the most important roles or processes within a specific context. For example, "Software components have "essential roles in" data management".

What are some alternatives to "key functions in"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""essential roles in"", "critical tasks in", or "vital responsibilities within" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "key functions of" or "key functions in"?

The choice depends on the context. "Key functions of" is used to describe the functions belonging to something, while "key functions in" describes functions operating within a system or area.

What is the difference between "key functions in" and "important functions in"?

"Key functions in" emphasizes the crucial and indispensable nature of the functions, whereas "important functions in" simply indicates that the functions are significant but not necessarily critical. The first is stronger.