meant to function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meant to function" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the intended purpose or role of something, indicating how it is supposed to operate or behave. Example: "The new software is designed to be user-friendly, as it is meant to function seamlessly across various devices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

His assistant handed Mr. Arnold a sheaf of nearly blank paper meant to function as his "joke file".

The New York Times - Arts

He said that his campaign committee pays to boost his posts, which are meant to function like re-election ads.

The New York Times

No doubt these phrases are meant to function as Homeric epithets of sorts, to remind us of who these women are.

The New York Times - Books

The gateway is mainly meant to function as a research and exploration base that can ultimately host humans, similar to the International Space Station.

The Washington Post

"The facts that are being employed here aren't meant to function baldly as 'facts.' The work that they're doing is more image-based than informational".

The New York Times - Magazine

Device makers argued in 2004 that the approaches being considered were impractical for their far more diversified industry, which makes everything from disposable bandages and needles to implants meant to function inside the body for decades.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Not surprisingly, the right wing echo chamber is demonstrating what it will act like, with its latest clueless demonstration, proving that Fox News and the Drudge Report are good at what they do -- echoing talking points and delivering messages -- but short on the goods when it comes to even getting what it means to function as a journalistic operation.

Huffington Post

Future data collection will include assisted means to function such as mobility aids and carers.

European Journal of Public Health

But the deliberately meager amount was both a clever publicity ploy and launching point for, they hoped, a significantly larger sum ($265,000 would get the studio land, equipment, vehicles, and the general means to function without interruption).

Vice

In some cases an intervention meant to improve function may in fact worsen pain, or vice versa.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The set of solutions of a polynomial function is represented as a Binary Decision Diagram [ 29], which is a data structure meant to represent functions on finite domains.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the purpose of a system or component, use "meant to function" to clearly communicate its intended role. For example, "This valve is meant to function as a pressure regulator."

Common error

Avoid using "meant to function" when a more specific verb would provide clarity. Instead of saying "The application is meant to function quickly", specify the intended action: "The application is designed to process data rapidly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meant to function" primarily serves as an infinitive phrase expressing the intended purpose or design of something. It often connects a subject with its planned action or role, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

21%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meant to function" is a commonly used phrase that effectively communicates the intended purpose or design of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity by being specific about the intended action. Alternatives like "designed to operate" or "intended to work" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of professional and objective writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designed to operate

Emphasizes the design aspect and how something is intended to work.

intended to work

Focuses on the intention behind the functionality.

created to serve

Highlights the purpose of serving a specific role or function.

supposed to operate

Indicates an expectation of how something should work.

built to perform

Stresses the construction and capability for a specific action.

engineered to execute

Highlights the precise and technical design for execution.

developed to fulfill

Focuses on meeting a requirement or purpose.

set up to run

Suggests a preparation or arrangement for operation.

made to act

Highlights the intended action or behavior.

purported to work

Implies a claim or assertion about functionality, which may or may not be true.

FAQs

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

You can use "meant to function" to describe the intended purpose or role of something. For example, "This tool is meant to function as a primary interface for users."

What are some alternatives to "meant to function"?

You can use alternatives like "designed to operate", "intended to work", or "created to serve" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "meant to function" and "supposed to function"?

"Meant to function" implies a designed or intended purpose, while "supposed to function" can imply an expectation, whether fulfilled or not. The phrase "supposed to function" often carries a sense of obligation or expectation that may not always be met.

Can "meant to function" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "meant to function" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe the intended purpose or operation of something. For even more formal contexts, consider "designed to operate" or "intended to work".