The phrase "as if operating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that resembles or mimics the functioning of something, often in a hypothetical or conditional context.
Example: "The machine was designed to function autonomously, as if operating under its own intelligence."
Alternatives: "as though functioning" or "as if it were working".
A young woman with curly hair leaned over a piano in the corner and swept her ringlets gently across the keys, moving her head back and forth as if operating a miniature car wash.
Even the dissing of famous people with whom she once worked (Jerome Robbins, Tony Curtis) has a carefully calculated quality, as if operating within an invisible fence of propriety.
Spurs announced Kane's re-signing via a short video on Twitter, in which he appeared in a control room as if operating the big screens at the new stadium.
As if operating in a parallel universe, Nish's fictional character comes at a time when real-life 27-year-old Erica Garner (daughter of Eric Garner who died from a police chokehold in 2014) recently passed following a heart attack and months after giving birth.
New or incoming staff who had not received the Integrated Systems Training tended to carry out their duties as if operating in still-separate departments.
And yet, the sport continues to be controlled by groups like the United States Golf Association, the R&A and the PGA Tour that administer the rules as if operating in a smoke-filled back room.
Since Ts is extremely small, ωD is as well, even if operating at relatively high Doppler or mobility.
As the storm of the third movement breaks into the glowing finale, the sun, as if operated by some celestial lighting designer, breaks through the clouds.
Results show that existing infrastructure is most beneficial if operated as a system (ignoring many current institutional constraints).
Here, the system might be effective if operated as intended but cannot be if in practice, it is not used.
So if the Dodgers are demanding quality players in exchange for Puig but are unlikely to receive them, they might as well operate as if he will be back in right field.
