semi-functional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "semi-functional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has partial functionality or is not fully operational. Example: "The prototype is semi-functional, allowing us to test some features but not all."

✓ Grammatically correct

General

Technology

Medicine

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Most patients will achieve a good ankle function after this semi-functional treatment [8, 9].

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Doc: "You know, this is all just semi-functional wreckage down here".

The New Yorker

Both shows present an unhomely vision of home, depicting it as a place of repressed longings and semi-functional objects.

The Guardian - Arts

I was too self-absorbed to imagine the hardships the family faced, even with a semi-functional freezer.

The New Yorker

As military rule gave way to a semi-functional democracy, the palace served as a respected power-broker.

The Economist

There is also the question, of importance to the country as well as to the Labour party, of whether it can become at least semi-functional as an opposition to the Tories in parliament.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

A simple semi-log functional form of the hedonic price function is chosen based on the findings of Cropper and others (1988).

Environmental Management

Guided by the medium dependence of the microscopic nucleon self-energies in nuclear matter, semi-empirical functionals have been adjusted to the nuclear matter equation of state and to bulk properties of finite nuclei, and applied to studies of arbitrarily heavy nuclei, exotic nuclei far from stability, and even systems at the nucleon drip-lines.

Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics

Similarly we can see that G is a weakly lower semi-continuous functional on (E_{0}^{alpha,p}) with (alpha>1/p).

Boundary Value Problems

where C is a nonempty closed convex subset of a Hilbert space, and h : C → R is a convex and lower semi-continuous functional.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Let X be a real reflexive Banach space and Ω ⊂ X be a bounded convex closed subset of X. Suppose that φ : X → R is a lower weakly semi-continuous functional.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "semi-functional", clearly specify which aspects are functional and which are not to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The device is semi-functional", specify: "The device is semi-functional; the display works, but the touch input does not."

Common error

Avoid using "semi-functional" when the item is entirely non-functional. "Semi-functional" implies some level of operability, however limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "semi-functional" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something is only partially or incompletely functional. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct to use and has examples in various real-world contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "semi-functional" is a descriptive adjective used to indicate partial or incomplete functionality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While it's grammatically sound and frequently used, clarity is crucial to specify the extent of functionality. Alternatives include "partially functional" or "partly operational". Overstating functionality when something is entirely non-functional should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially functional

Replaces "semi-" with "partially", emphasizing the incomplete nature of the functionality.

part-functional

A shorter, hyphenated alternative emphasizing partial functionality.

not fully operational

Explicitly states the lack of complete operational status.

partly operational

Focuses on the operational aspect, suggesting that only some functions are working.

sub-functional

Suggests a level of functionality below the expected or required standard.

near-functional

Implies being close to fully functional but not quite there yet.

marginally functional

Indicates that the functionality is barely sufficient or acceptable.

quasi-functional

Indicates that the functionality is similar but not identical to full functionality.

in limited working order

Describes the state as having a restricted or reduced capability.

imperfectly working

Highlights the presence of flaws or errors in the functioning.

FAQs

How can I use "semi-functional" in a sentence?

You can use "semi-functional" to describe something that works only partially. For example: "The old computer is "semi-functional"; it can still browse the web, but it can't run modern software."

What's the difference between "semi-functional" and "non-functional"?

"Semi-functional" means something has limited functionality, while "non-functional" means it doesn't work at all. A "semi-functional" device might have some features that work, but a non-functional one is entirely broken.

What are some alternatives to saying "semi-functional"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "partially functional", "partly operational", or "marginally functional".

Is "semi-functional" a negative term?

It depends on the context. While it indicates that something is not fully working, it's not necessarily negative. It can simply be a descriptive term to convey the current state of an object or system.