been in operation

USAGE SUMMARY

'been in operation' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has been functioning or performing regularly for some period of time. For example, "Our family business has been in operation since the early 1900s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The mine has been in operation for decades, officials said.

The New York Times

How long has each agency been in operation?

The New York Times

Seven The years that Uber has been in operation.

The Guardian - Tech

The lab has been in operation since 1947.

The New York Times

The service has been in operation seven weeks.

The New Yorker

The mobile unit has been in operation since June , 1960

The New Yorker

It has been in operation for less than two years.

The New York Times

It has only been in operation since 1995.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In this case, the CMU has been in operations for nearly three years.

Huffington Post

An austerity spiral is in operation.

The New York Times

Today only four are in operation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration, specify the starting point to provide a clear timeline. For example, "The program has been in operation since 2010".

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense when the duration is relevant. Instead of "The system operated for five years", use "The system has been in operation for five years" to emphasize continuity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been in operation" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating the duration and state of being active or functional. Ludwig examples show it's used to describe the ongoing status of businesses, systems, and programs. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been in operation" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe the duration and state of activity of a system, business, or program. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news, scientific, and business contexts. While maintaining neutrality, its formality may depend on the content of the sentence. When using "been in operation", specify a starting date to provide context. Alternatives include phrases such as "been functioning" or "been active" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been operational

More formal and technical, emphasizing readiness for specified tasks.

been functioning

Focuses on the activity or performance aspect rather than the operational status.

been running

Implies continuous activity, often used for systems or processes.

been active

Highlights a state of being engaged or involved, rather than specifically operating.

been working

Emphasizes the practical aspect of performing tasks or duties.

been effective

Focuses on achieving a desired result, not just being active.

been up and running

Implies a state of readiness and immediate functionality.

been in service

Suggests a formal or official capacity of being available.

been live

Commonly used for websites or broadcasts, indicating active availability.

been in effect

Used to describe laws, rules, or agreements that are currently active and binding.

FAQs

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

You can use "been in operation" to describe how long a business, system, or program has been active. For example, "The company has "been in operation" since 1995".

What are some alternatives to "been in operation"?

Alternatives include phrases like "been functioning", "been running", or "been active", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "is in operation" or "has been in operation"?

Both can be correct, but they convey different meanings. "Is in operation" describes the current state, while "has been in operation" describes a state that started in the past and continues to the present.

What's the difference between ""been in operation"" and "been operational"?

"Been in operation" indicates a period of activity, while "been operational" implies readiness for use or a specified task.