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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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seemed to function

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It seemed to function well.

News & Media

The New York Times

Ordinary Pakistanis, meanwhile, publicly disparaged the one institution that, until then, had seemed to function.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Other than communities with very high immigrant populations, most cities seemed to function normally.

News & Media

The Guardian

United seemed to function better and Chelsea struggled to get a grip on the game.

News & Media

Independent

And, as police agencies started using it, it seemed to function O.K.

News & Media

The New York Times

This was the band that seemed to function on pure instinct, without the usual safety net of chord sequences and so on.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It seems to function well.

News & Media

The Guardian

It seems to function like some sort of rallying cry.

News & Media

The New York Times

Whenever we attend to things (such as blinks, breathing, walking, etc), they seem to function differently.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Some trails seem to function as partitions between colony territories as well as highways.

In certain cases, the seats seem to function as probable cause of advanced-stage sciatica.

News & Media

The New York Times
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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".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Common

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.

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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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: