functioning
functioning — adjective
1. in a state where it does its job, runs as intended, or stays in good working ord
in a state where it does its job, runs as intended, or stays in good working order — said of machines, body parts, systems, or services.
The hospital still has a fully functioning generator after the storm hit Manila.
attributive: fully functioning + noun
Only one functioning elevator was left in the old apartment block in Lien's neighborhood.
collocation: functioning elevator / machine
Doctors said that Sora's kidneys were still functioning at about seventy percent.
Judge Soraya argued that a properly functioning court system is essential for a fair society.
Without a functioning postal service, small shops in the village cannot ship orders.
- working
everyday, neutral — covers all the same cases but doesn't suggest a complex system
- operational
more formal; common in news and military / business contexts
- operating
close synonym for machines and services; slightly more technical
- broken
implies physical damage
- out of order
set phrase for public machines and services
文法句型
functioning + noun
用法筆記
Almost always sits in front of a noun (a functioning X) or after 'still / fully / properly'. Rarely used alone after 'be' without a modifier — say 'the radio is working', not 'the radio is functioning'.
常見錯誤
2. describing a person who keeps a normal job, social life, and family life on the
describing a person who keeps a normal job, social life, and family life on the surface, even though they have a serious problem with alcohol, drugs, or a mental illness.
Valentina's father was a high-functioning alcoholic who never missed a day of work.
compound: high-functioning alcoholic
Madison's brother is a functioning addict who hides his drinking from close friends and his own family.
noun phrase: functioning addict
Élise had been a functioning depressive for years before she finally asked her doctor for help.
Dr. Okafor told the workshop that high-functioning patients often delay treatment until a crisis hits.
- high-functioning
the more common form; almost always preferred in writing
- non-functioning
rare here; people more often say someone has 'hit rock bottom' or 'lost control'
文法句型
(high-)functioning + alcoholic / addict
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (machines / services): here the noun is always a person with an addiction or mental-health condition. Most natural in the compound 'high-functioning' before words like 'alcoholic', 'addict', 'autistic', 'depressive'.
常見錯誤
functioning — noun
1. the way a system, machine, or organization runs in practice — how it does what i
the way a system, machine, or organization runs in practice — how it does what it is supposed to do.
Tariq wrote a short report on the day-to-day functioning of the school library.
the + adjective + functioning of + noun
Engineers must understand the functioning of the engine before they try to fix any fault.
collocation: the functioning of + machine
A free press is important to the smooth functioning of any democracy.
Wren studies the functioning of small markets in rural parts of West Africa.
Mayor Isabela promised the new rules would not affect the daily functioning of local police stations.
- breakdown
process of stopping working
- malfunction
specific failure event
文法句型
the functioning of + noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually an institution, system, machine, or market — not a single person. Often takes adjectives like 'smooth', 'normal', 'day-to-day', 'daily', 'proper'. Compare with sense 2, which is about a person's body or mind.
常見錯誤
2. how well a person's body or mind can do everyday things — moving around, thinkin
how well a person's body or mind can do everyday things — moving around, thinking clearly, working, and dealing with other people.
Xiu lost sleep before the exam, and it damaged her memory and cognitive functioning.
collocation: cognitive functioning
Doctors checked Tunde's heart and lung functioning before letting him return to football practice.
collocation: heart / lung functioning
Therapy helped Christopher slowly improve his social functioning after the accident.
Romi's grandmother takes a small daily pill to support normal brain functioning.
Ravindra's long working hours slowly reduced his day-to-day functioning at home and at the office.
- performance
covers both cognitive and physical sides; broader and less clinical
- capacity
stresses the maximum ability rather than daily output
- ability
everyday word; lacks the clinical sweep
- impairment
clinical term for reduced functioning
- dysfunction
ongoing problem with how something works
文法句型
cognitive / physical / social + functioning
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this one belongs to a person and is usually paired with an adjective naming an area (cognitive, social, physical, emotional, sexual, brain, heart, lung). Common in medical and psychology writing.
常見錯誤
functioning — verb
1. (of a machine, body part, system, or service) to do what it is meant to do; to r
(of a machine, body part, system, or service) to do what it is meant to do; to run in a normal way.
Mira's old laptop still functions, but the screen flickers when she opens it.
intransitive: thing + functions
After the surgery, Rohan's left knee functions almost as well as before.
collocation: functions + as well as / better / poorly
The lift in our building has not functioned properly since the heavy rain last month.
A small village school can function with only two teachers and a shared library.
Without clean water, the small clinic in Sofie's village cannot function for very long.
- fail
stops doing its job
- break down
stops suddenly, often needs repair
文法句型
something functions
function + adverb
用法筆記
More formal than 'work'. Often paired with 'properly', 'normally', 'well', or 'as well as'. Subject is usually a machine, organ, system, or institution — not a person doing a casual task.
常見錯誤
2. to play a certain role or take a certain job, often because nothing else is doin
to play a certain role or take a certain job, often because nothing else is doing it — for example, a table functioning as a desk, or a teacher functioning as a counsellor.
During the conference, the old library functioned as a quiet workspace for the delegates.
function as + role
Niran's spare room functions as both a study and a guest bedroom on weekends.
function as + dual role
In small villages, the local teacher often functions as an unofficial doctor and counsellor.
In this sentence, the word 'fast' functions as an adverb rather than an adjective.
The big oak tree near Mayumi's house functions as a meeting point for the whole village.
文法句型
function as + noun
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'as + noun'. The subject usually already exists for one purpose but takes on another. Distinct from sense 1 (just running normally) — here, the focus is on what role the thing plays.