functions
functions — 名詞
- functionssingular
- functionsesplural
1. the purpose that something is designed to serve, or the job that a person is exp
功能；職責
事物的用途或人的職務
the purpose that something is designed to serve, or the job that a person is expected to carry out in a particular situation
The main function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the entire body.
心臟的主要功能是將血液輸送到全身。
collocation: main function of [organ]
One of a teacher's most important functions is helping students learn to think for themselves.
老師最重要的職責之一是幫助學生學會獨立思考。
In a busy hospital, a nurse's functions include caring for patients and supporting their families.
在忙碌的醫院裡，護理師的職責包括照顧病人及其家屬。
The security guard's primary function is checking everyone who enters the office building.
警衛的主要職責是檢查進入辦公大樓的每一個人。
Adaeze saw her function as keeping the project team focused and motivated throughout the year.
她認為自己的職責是讓團隊在一年內始終保持專注與積極。
- main function
- primary function
- vital function
- function of
用法筆記
Frequently used with possessive adjectives (her function, its function) or in constructions with 'of' (the function of…).
常見錯誤
2. a large formal social event or official ceremony where many people gather to cel
典禮；宴會
正式社交活動或儀式
a large formal social event or official ceremony where many people gather to celebrate, raise money, or network
The wedding function was held in a grand hotel with more than two hundred guests.
婚禮宴會在一間豪華飯店舉行，來了兩百多位賓客。
collocation: wedding/charity/diplomatic function
The mayor attended a charity function to help raise money for the local library.
市長出席了一場慈善晚會，為當地圖書館籌募資金。
Ravindra and Camille met each other at a diplomatic function in the capital city.
Ravindra 和 Camille 是在首都一場外交場合認識的。
Tickets for the annual awards function sold out within just a few hours.
年度頒獎典禮的門票在幾小時內就銷售一空。
The reception after the graduation ceremony is a formal function for families and faculty.
畢業典禮後的茶會是為家屬與教職員舉辦的正式活動。
- charity function
- social function
- diplomatic function
- formal function
常見錯誤
3. how something behaves or does its job when it is being used — for example, the j
運作方式
事物運作或活動的方式
how something behaves or does its job when it is being used — for example, the job that an organ, machine, or individual component performs within a larger system
Eli studied the function of each part in the car engine before the exam.
Eli 在考試前仔細研究了汽車引擎每個零件的運作方式。
collocation: function of [body part/machine part]
The doctor carefully explained the function of the kidneys to her worried patient.
醫生向擔心的病人仔細解釋腎臟的功能。
Pedro learned about the function of each button on the camera's control panel.
Pedro 學會了相機控制面板上每個按鈕的作用。
Understanding the function of each gear helps when you need to repair the bicycle.
了解每個齒輪的運作方式有助於修理腳踏車。
The biology textbook describes the function of various glands in the human body.
生物課本描述了人體各種腺體的作用。
- function of
- bodily functions
- normal function
- proper function
4. a named set of instructions in a computer program that performs a specific task
函式；功能
程式中的指令子程序
a named set of instructions in a computer program that performs a specific task and can be used more than once in the program
The programmer wrote a function that sorts all the names in alphabetical order.
程式設計師寫了一個能將所有姓名按字母順序排序的函式。
grammar: call/define/write a function
You can call this function whenever you need to calculate the total cost.
每當你需要計算總金額時，可以呼叫這個函式。
Anya added a new function to the app that allows users to reset their passwords.
Anya 在應用程式中加入了一個新功能，讓使用者可以重設密碼。
The search function helps you find any file by typing a keyword into the box.
搜尋功能可以讓你在方框中輸入關鍵字來尋找檔案。
Each function in this code should handle just one task and do that task well.
這段程式碼中的每個函式應該只處理一件事，並且要做好那件事。
- call a function
- define a function
- write a function
- search function
- procedure
similar but often implies no return value; more common in older programming contexts
- routine
less precise; can mean any repeated set of actions, not just in computing
- subroutine
more technical; commonly used in assembly and older languages
用法筆記
Common verbs used with this sense: call, define, write, execute, use. In many programming languages a function can accept input values and return an output.
常見錯誤
5. a result or situation that is directly produced by another factor or condition a
依變結果
取決於其他因素的結果
a result or situation that is directly produced by another factor or condition and changes when that factor changes
The success of the event is a function of how well the whole team prepares.
活動的成功與否取決於整個團隊準備得有多充分。
grammar: [noun] is a function of [noun]
In economics, the price of a product is a function of supply and demand.
在經濟學中，產品的價格取決於市場上的供給與需求。
Tendai believes that happiness is a function of having strong relationships with others.
Tendai 認為快樂來自於擁有良好的人際關係。
In this factory, production cost is a function of both material prices and labor hours.
在這間工廠，生產成本是材料價格與工時兩者的函數。
grammar: [noun] is a function of [noun]
A child's language development is a function of both genetics and the home environment.
兒童的語言發展取決於遺傳和家庭環境兩方面的因素。
- function of
- a function of
- result
simpler but less precise — does not imply a causal dependency
- consequence
suggests inevitability; stronger causal link than function
- product
formal; often used in economics and social sciences
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the pattern '[thing] is a function of [factor]'. Rarely used outside formal or academic writing.
6. in mathematics, a relationship where each input number corresponds to exactly on
函數
輸入對應單一輸出的數學關係
in mathematics, a relationship where each input number corresponds to exactly one output number, often written as f(x) = something
Joshua learned how to graph a linear function on the coordinate plane in class.
Joshua 在課堂上學會了如何在座標平面上繪製線性函數的圖形。
grammar: graph/plot a function; linear/quadratic function
The function f of x equals x squared produces a curved shape called a parabola.
函數 f(x)=x² 會畫出一條稱為拋物線的曲線。
Romi used a function to calculate the distance between two points on the map.
Romi 用一個函數計算地圖上兩點之間的距離。
The value of this trigonometric function changes as the angle increases from zero.
當角度從零開始增加時，這個三角函數的數值也會跟著變化。
Ari showed how the square root function is the reverse operation of squaring a number.
Ari 示範了平方根函數其實是平方運算的逆向操作。
- linear function
- quadratic function
- graph a function
- value of the function
- mapping
more technical; used in advanced mathematics to emphasise the correspondence between sets
- transformation
focuses on changing inputs into outputs; common in geometry and algebra
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun/4 (COMPUTER PROCESS): in mathematics the function is a pure relation between numbers, not a set of code instructions. Also avoid confusing with noun/5 (DEPENDENT RESULT): the mathematical sense is strictly formal and quantifiable.
常見錯誤
❌ 'This is not a function because one input gives you two outputs.' — This statement is correct; a function must have exactly one output per input.
functions — 動詞
- functionspresent simple I / you / we / they
- functionses3rd person singular
- functionsing-ing form
- functionsedpast simple
1. to work or do what something is supposed to do, especially in a particular way o
運作；發揮
正常運作或發揮作用
to work or do what something is supposed to do, especially in a particular way or for a particular purpose
The old air conditioner still functions even though it was installed ten years ago.
那台老舊的冷氣機雖然是十年前安裝的，但依然能正常運作。
intransitive verb, no direct object
Without enough staff, a hospital cannot function properly during a major emergency.
人手不足時，醫院在重大緊急情況下就無法正常運作。
This smartphone can function as a GPS device even without an internet connection.
這支智慧型手機即使沒有網路連線，也能當作 GPS 導航裝置來使用。
The committee cannot function effectively if more than half the members stay away.
如果超過一半的成員都不出席，委員會就無法有效運作。
Pedro's old laptop was running so slowly that it barely functioned at all anymore.
Pedro 那台舊筆電跑得非常慢，幾乎已經無法正常運作了。
- function properly
- function well
- function as
- function normally
- fail
to stop working or not work correctly
- break down
phrasal verb; to stop functioning completely
文法句型
function + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
Intransitive — never takes a direct object. 'function as [noun]' means 'serve in a particular role'. 'function' is less specific than 'operate' because it often implies adequacy rather than smooth performance.
常見錯誤
同根字
- functional形容詞B2
- functionally副詞C1
- function動詞B1
- dysfunction名詞C1
- dysfunctional形容詞C1
- functionless形容詞C2
- multifunctional形容詞C1