sense of function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of function" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the understanding or perception of how something operates or serves a purpose. Example: "In order to improve the design, we need to enhance the user's sense of function regarding the product's capabilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In this second signification it is sometimes connected with "function" in the mathematical sense, or else mathematical functions are adduced as paradigmatic of the functional conception of thinking.[60] The standard sense of "function" for Natorp, then, is that of an act or "operation" of thinking, where this means laying down a hypothesis.

SEP

I was able to figure out my modern sense of style, fashion with a sense of function.

Huffington Post

The RIBA Journal recently published his images of the newly completed Glasgow School of art building (shortly before the disastrous fire), and as is his style, Iwan creatively included people within the building helping to depict an overall sense of function and scale.

Huffington Post

The original annotation would be more outdated for earlier sequenced genome in the sense of function information.

DNA Research

Among adolescents self-rated health is as a measure of physical and psychological wellbeing that also include "an overall sense of function" [ 32, 33].

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Angry fires are raging on social media and any sense of functioning government has come to a standstill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alcoholics Anonymous, for instance, shows how an organization with a clear sense of purpose can function with no formal control systems.

Harvard Business Review

From aneuploidies to function: making sense of functional genomics data.

Columbia University

To get a sense of the function, you should plug in a few other x-coordinates so you can get a sense of what the function looks like before you start to look for the range.

WikiHow

Oh, also, you have to name your fused punctuation mark and give some sense of its function.

The New Yorker

What the city witnessed yesterday was a seminar in architectural thinking, a master class in making sense of space, function, civic commitment and public emotion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing design or architecture, use "sense of function" to illustrate how effectively the design communicates its purpose and usability. For example: 'The building's layout provides a clear "sense of function", guiding visitors intuitively.'

Common error

Avoid using "sense of function" when you actually mean "sense of purpose". "Sense of function" relates to understanding how something works, while "sense of purpose" relates to understanding why something exists or is done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of function" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It describes an understanding or perception of how something operates or serves a purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of function" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express an understanding or perception of how something operates or its intended use. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's usable and correct in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts with a neutral to professional register. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "understanding of purpose" or "awareness of functionality", especially when differentiating it from the related concept of "sense of purpose". Use "sense of function" when describing the understanding or perception of how something operates or serves a purpose and avoid using it when you actually mean "sense of purpose". The phrase can be useful in discussions about design, architecture, and functionality, to convey the effectiveness of an item's design to show its purpose and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding of purpose

Replaces "sense" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension of the intended use.

awareness of functionality

Substitutes "sense" with "awareness" and "function" with "functionality", highlighting a conscious knowledge of how something works.

appreciation for utility

Replaces "sense" with "appreciation" and "function" with "utility", emphasizing the value derived from practical use.

recognition of operation

Focuses on acknowledging how something works or is used.

comprehension of mechanism

Highlights grasping the underlying process or system by which something operates.

grasp of practicality

Emphasizes understanding the real-world usefulness and applicability of something.

intuition for usability

Focuses on an instinctive understanding of how easily something can be used.

discernment of role

Emphasizes the ability to distinguish and understand the part something plays in a larger system.

perception of effectiveness

Highlights the awareness of how well something achieves its intended results.

insight into performance

Focuses on a deep understanding of how well something carries out its function.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of function" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of function" to describe the perceived or understood purpose of something, as in, "The design of the tool provides a clear "sense of function", making it easy to use." It's about the understanding of how something is meant to work or be used.

What's the difference between "sense of function" and "sense of purpose"?

"Sense of function" refers to the understanding of how something works or is intended to be used, while "sense of purpose" relates to having a direction or goal in life or in a project. The former is about mechanics, the latter is about intention.

What are some alternatives to "sense of function"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "sense of function" include "understanding of purpose", "awareness of functionality", or "appreciation for utility".

Is "sense of function" formal or informal language?

"Sense of function" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language. It is frequently used in technical, design, and architectural discussions.