A simple analytical expression for the current function pertaining to the irreversible electron transfer processes in linear sweep voltammetry is formulated for the systems obeying Marcus-like mechanisms. The influence of activation overpotential on the current function has been pointed out. The variation of the current function with solvent reorganization energy has also been illustrated which is in agreement with Marcus theory. The current function expression was verified experimentally using the reductive cleavage of carbon tetrachloride in N,N′-dimethylformamide at glassy carbon electrodes. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.