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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
seemed to function
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "seemed to function" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing how something appeared to operate or perform, often in a context where the actual performance may be uncertain or subjective. Example: "The new software update seemed to function well during the initial tests, but we need more data to confirm its reliability."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
39 human-written examples
It seemed to function well.
News & Media
Ordinary Pakistanis, meanwhile, publicly disparaged the one institution that, until then, had seemed to function.
News & Media
Other than communities with very high immigrant populations, most cities seemed to function normally.
News & Media
United seemed to function better and Chelsea struggled to get a grip on the game.
News & Media
And, as police agencies started using it, it seemed to function O.K.
News & Media
This was the band that seemed to function on pure instinct, without the usual safety net of chord sequences and so on.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
19 human-written examples
It seems to function well.
News & Media
It seems to function like some sort of rallying cry.
News & Media
Whenever we attend to things (such as blinks, breathing, walking, etc), they seem to function differently.
News & Media
Some trails seem to function as partitions between colony territories as well as highways.
News & Media
In certain cases, the seats seem to function as probable cause of advanced-stage sciatica.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "seemed to function" when you want to convey that something appeared to be working correctly, but you are unsure if it actually was or is.
Common error
Avoid using "seemed to function" when you have concrete evidence of proper functioning. Instead, use stronger verbs like "functioned" or "operated".
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "seemed to function" primarily serves as a verb phrase that describes an action or state of being, specifically indicating the apparent operation or performance of something. This implies a level of observation or perception rather than definitive confirmation, as supported by Ludwig.
Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Science
35%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "seemed to function" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe something that appeared to be working, but without absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's particularly useful in contexts where you want to convey an impression or observation rather than a definitive fact. This phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science domains. Remember to avoid overstating certainty when using it and consider alternatives like "appeared to work" or "looked to be functioning" for slight variations in meaning.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
appeared to work
Focuses on the apparent operational state.
appeared to operate
Highlights the action of functioning or operating.
gave the impression of working
Emphasizes the impression or perception of functionality.
looked to be functioning
Uses visual observation as the basis for the assessment.
seemed to be in working order
Focuses on the condition of being functional.
presented as functional
Highlights how something was presented or perceived.
was seemingly operational
Adds a level of uncertainty with 'seemingly'.
ostensibly functioned
Implies a surface-level appearance of functionality.
superficially appeared functional
Highlights that the functionality might not be deep or complete.
professed to work
Suggests a claim or assertion of functionality, potentially lacking evidence.
FAQs
How can I use "seemed to function" in a sentence?
You can use "seemed to function" to describe something that appeared to be working but you lacked complete certainty. For example, "The prototype "seemed to function" well in the lab, but field tests are needed."
What can I say instead of "seemed to function"?
You can use alternatives like "appeared to work", "looked to be functioning", or "gave the impression of working" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "seemed to function" or "seemed to be functioning"?
Both "seemed to function" and "seemed to be functioning" are grammatically correct, but "seemed to function" is generally more concise. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
What's the difference between "seemed to function" and "actually functioned"?
"Seemed to function" implies an observation or impression of functionality without definite proof, whereas "actually functioned" confirms that something definitively operated as intended.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested