a sprawling operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sprawling operation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large, complex, and often disorganized business or activity that covers a wide area or involves many components. Example: "The company has grown into a sprawling operation, with branches in multiple countries and a diverse range of products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Piracy Inc. is a sprawling operation on land, too.

The New York Times

It is used to energise supporters, court donations and unite a sprawling operation.

The Economist

It describes a sprawling operation characterised by bungling and confusion, involving at least three militant groups.

The Guardian

But if this campaign office conveys a casual, ragtag feel, it belies a sprawling operation with an intricate chain of command, volunteers who have been here for years and a lexicon worthy of the military.

The New York Times

In 2002, the third and fourth generations of the Van Winkle family formed a partnership with Buffalo Trace, a sprawling operation on the Kentucky River where whiskey has been made for more than 200 years.

The New York Times

The women interviewed by The Times described similarly troubling experiences at Fox News and the Fox Business Network, a sprawling operation with about 2,000 employees on several floors of News Corporation's headquarters on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Band of Brothers," which began production in March and was scheduled to continue filming here through the end of the year, is a lavish, sprawling operation: entire European villages were constructed and blown to bits; original tanks and weapons were located and restored; the costume designer combed Europe and the United States for period clothing and had hundreds of uniforms made.

The New York Times - Arts

Bloomberg's sprawling operation, which includes 2,300 editorial employees, a television outfit and a radio station, has largely been used as a tool for the Bloomberg terminals.

The New York Times

Last summer, he moved from Bayer Chemical to Amazon.com and has built an 800,000-equation computer model of the company's sprawling operation, meant to help do most everything from scheduling Christmas overtime to rerouting trucks in a snowstorm.

The New York Times

Mr. Rumsfeld, for example, has moved to strengthen his control over the military's intelligence apparatus by proposing a civilian position reporting directly to him to manage the sprawling operation.

The New York Times

Each will keep oversight of his current area, while adding other parts of the sprawling operation to his portfolio, Ms. Carroll said in a memo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sprawling operation" to effectively convey the idea of a large, complex, and potentially unwieldy entity or activity. This phrase works well when you want to emphasize the scale and scope of something.

Common error

Avoid using "a sprawling operation" when describing something small or simple. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the scale and complexity are truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sprawling operation" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the scale and complexity of various entities, from businesses to military endeavors. It characterizes the operation as large and often intricate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sprawling operation" is a phrase used to describe something large, complex, and potentially unwieldy. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying scale, it's important to consider potential negative connotations of inefficiency or disorganization. Alternatives like "extensive enterprise" or "large scale endeavor" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extensive enterprise

Focuses on the comprehensive and far-reaching aspects of the business or project.

a massive undertaking

Highlights the immense scale and significant effort required.

a large scale endeavor

Emphasizes the size and ambition of the undertaking.

a complex undertaking

Emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted nature of the task.

a comprehensive initiative

Highlights the inclusive and all-encompassing nature of the program.

a widespread activity

Highlights the broad reach and extensive nature of the activity.

a sizable venture

Focuses on the considerable size and resources involved.

a far reaching project

Highlights the magnitude and broad impact of the plan.

an expansive network

Focuses on the wide-ranging connections and reach of the system.

a grand scheme

Implies an ambitious and elaborate plan.

FAQs

How can I use "a sprawling operation" in a sentence?

You can use "a sprawling operation" to describe businesses, projects, or systems that are large and complex. For example, "The company has become "a sprawling operation" with departments across the globe."

What are some alternatives to "a sprawling operation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "extensive enterprise", "large scale endeavor", or "complex undertaking".

Is it better to use "a sprawling operation" or "a large operation"?

"A sprawling operation" implies not just size but also a sense of complexity and potentially disorganization. "A large operation" simply emphasizes the size. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

Can "a sprawling operation" have negative connotations?

Yes, "a sprawling operation" can sometimes imply inefficiency or lack of control due to its size and complexity. It's important to consider this connotation when using the phrase.