well function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well function" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form is "function well," which is used to describe something that operates effectively or efficiently. Example: "The new software is designed to function well under high load conditions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

For a while, as the great Thanksgiving storm of 2013 scotched plans for a Water Taxi tour, my A train idled infuriatingly at Canal Street and the maps function on my phone inexplicably refused to, well, function, the All Blacks were in danger of becoming the greatest sports team I had ever failed to meet.

The Guardian - Sport

Exponential integral (also known as well function) is often used in hydrogeology to solve Theis and Hantush equations.

Journal of Hydrology

At about 6.3 by 3.3 by 1.3 inches, it's too big to be a phone but it could very well function as a mobile internet device of some type.

TechCrunch

The detection analysis is based on a system of equations that solve for the propagation of a pressure pulse using the superposition principle and an approximation to the well function.

Energy Procedia

Our hope is that by hosting these events (which we do in collaboration with local partners) that we can lead the field, taking on the challenges and issues that are barriers to a healthy, well function, relevant field.

Huffington Post

We, therefore, speculate that it could as well function in the siderophore mediated iron uptake pathway.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We found them to be extremely well functioning families.

The Guardian

The well functions as a center of gravity, focusing attention on the paper's nerve center.

The New York Times - Arts

Obviously, there are benefits to well functioning financial markets.

The Economist

"Is 1.8 acres of poorly functioning wetland just as good as one acre of well functioning wetland?" Dr. Zedler said.

The New York Times

"We cannot predict the true market level because we have not had a well functioning market," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express that something is working correctly, use "function well" instead of "well function". For example, say "The system functions well" rather than "The system well function".

Common error

Avoid placing "well" before "function" when describing effective operation. The adverb "well" should modify the verb "function", so the correct word order is "function well".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well function" is generally used incorrectly as a verb phrase. The correct form is to use "function" as the verb and "well" as an adverb modifying it, as in "function well". Ludwig AI indicates this usage is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "well function" may appear in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct and preferred phrasing is to use "function well", positioning "well" as an adverb modifying the verb "function". This ensures clarity and aligns with standard English usage. Although examples exist across science, news, and formal business contexts, it's important to prioritize grammatically correct alternatives like "operate effectively" or "perform adequately", especially in formal or professional settings. Always aim for clarity and precision in your writing to avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

function effectively

Replaces "well function" with a more standard adverb-verb construction, emphasizing effectiveness.

be fully functional

Stresses the completeness of the functionality.

operate properly

Uses "operate" instead of "function", focusing on the correct or intended operation.

work efficiently

Highlights the efficiency of the operation or function.

perform adequately

Focuses on a satisfactory level of performance, rather than optimal functioning.

maintain proper function

Highlights the act of preserving functionality.

be in good working order

Emphasizes the state of being functional and operational.

run smoothly

Suggests a seamless and uninterrupted operation.

serve its purpose well

Focuses on fulfilling the intended function effectively.

behave as expected

Implies proper functioning by meeting expectations.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is working effectively?

The correct way to describe something working effectively is to use the phrase "function well". This places the adverb "well" in the correct position to modify the verb "function".

Are there alternatives to saying "function well"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "operate effectively", "perform adequately", or "work efficiently" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct: "well function" or "function well"?

"Function well" is the grammatically correct phrase. "Well" should come after "function" to properly modify the verb.

In what contexts might I want to use "function well"?

You can use "function well" in a variety of contexts to describe how effectively a system, organization, or individual operates. For instance, "The new software is designed to function well under heavy loads."