an ongoing operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing operation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or activity that is currently in progress and has not yet been completed. Example: "The team is currently engaged in an ongoing operation to improve the efficiency of our supply chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"It's an ongoing operation.

The Guardian

"The Algerian authorities have confirmed that there is an ongoing operation," the spokesman said.

The Guardian

"We never intended to be an ongoing operation," Ms. Pearce said.

The New York Times

The raid on the premises in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, came during an ongoing operation by the authorities against human trafficking.

The Guardian

Temperature measurements were implemented throughout an ongoing operation to quantify thermal loading.

Wear

It is understood by employees that substandard performance endangers the existence of PDC as an ongoing operation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"It's pretty much an ongoing process," said Tina Martinez, the operations director for the school.

The New York Times

The numbers are the latest milestones in a long-term, ongoing operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

TechCrunch

It launched Operation Chammal the following September, an ongoing military operation to contain the expansion of the Islamic State and support the Iraqi army.

Vice

Asked directly if the ongoing operation was a standoff, Morrison said: "It's an operational matter that continues to be handled in the way that all of these matters have been since commencement of Operation Sovereign Borders".

The Guardian

A successful SPD repair must have sufficient cohesive strength to prevent further cracking under fatigue loading, and the quality of the repair must be able to be monitored nondestructively on a periodic basis during ongoing operation of the repaired aircraft.

International Journal of Fatigue

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sensitive or confidential activity, use "an ongoing operation" to indicate that details cannot be fully disclosed.

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing" simply as filler. Ensure the operation's nature and purpose are clear to the reader to provide meaningful context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing operation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "ongoing" modifies the noun "operation". It describes an action, process, or series of actions that are currently in progress and have not yet been completed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing operation" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a process or activity that is currently in progress. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overuse. Alternatives such as ""a continuing operation"" or ""a current operation"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase serves to inform about active, continuing processes, without strong formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing operation

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the operation.

a current operation

Focuses on the operation's presence in the present time.

a sustained operation

Highlights the operation's ability to be maintained over time.

a live operation

Implies the operation is active and unfolding.

a running operation

Suggests the operation is actively functioning.

an active undertaking

Replaces "operation" with a broader term for an activity.

a progressing initiative

Substitutes "operation" with "initiative", implying a planned effort.

a developing project

Uses "project" instead of "operation", suggesting a structured endeavor.

a work in progress

Informal expression indicating incompleteness and active development.

a continuous activity

Highlights the ongoing nature of the activity in general terms.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing operation" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing operation" to describe any activity or process that is currently in progress, such as "The police have described the investigation as "an ongoing operation"" or "The company views the system upgrade as "an ongoing operation"".

What can I say instead of "an ongoing operation"?

Alternatives include "a continuing operation", "a current operation", or "a work in progress" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an ongoing operation"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Ongoing" is an adjective that appropriately modifies the noun "operation", indicating that the operation is currently in progress.

What's the difference between "an ongoing operation" and "a completed operation"?

"An ongoing operation" refers to an activity that is currently in progress and not yet finished. In contrast, "a completed operation" describes an activity that has been fully executed and finalized.