covertly operating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covertly operating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or activities that are conducted in a secretive or hidden manner. Example: "The organization was covertly operating to gather intelligence without attracting attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The present results provide neuropsychological evidence that robust task-sensitive neural pathways are covertly operating on weak and normally imperceptible visual stimuli even when visuospatial attention is severely compromised.

Neuropsychologia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Over the years, every president since has grown that original model into a 24/7 apparatus that covertly operates on a global geo-political scale.

Huffington Post

Putin did give awards to other Russian military units operating covertly in Ukraine at the time.

The Guardian

The legislative history thus shows that Congress was intent upon regulating takeover bidders, theretofore operating covertly, in order to protect the shareholders of target companies.

Columbia University

Almost all of the undercover officers identified so far – including those known to have worked under Lambert – had sexual relationships while operating covertly.

The Guardian

In retaliation, the Israeli Air Force, which has been operating covertly in Syria since 2012, sent F-16 fighter jets to attack an Iranian command center in central Syria.

The New Yorker

In late August, Nato estimated that more than 1,000 Russian soldiers were operating covertly inside Ukraine, as part of a major separatist effort to roll back advances by Kiev.

The Guardian

Of those not willing to do so, a few may have opted for extreme outfits operating covertly.

Huffington Post

The report confirms a story that appeared in an article in this magazine in 2002 claiming that Bin Laden may have been operating covertly out of the Chinese mountain range for months before the September 11th attacks, perhaps anticipating the US-led coalition strikes that took out the Taliban regime in nearby Afghanistan.

Vice

They have changed their main tactics, which were too easy a target for coalition airstrikes and are now operating more covertly.

Independent

The phrase is used differently in different disciplines, but it generally refers to the study of the ways in which racial concepts and ideas may be operating relatively covertly across social institutions and practices — as ideological drones, of a sort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "covertly operating", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being operated or influenced in a hidden or secret manner. For example, "The intelligence agency was covertly operating a network of informants."

Common error

Avoid using "covertly operating" when the activity is simply private or confidential, not necessarily hidden from all observation. The phrase implies a deliberate attempt to conceal the activity from specific parties or the public.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covertly operating" functions as an adverbial modifier specifying how an entity or system is performing actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes activities conducted secretly. In example, a system may be covertly operating on visual stimuli or an organization operating on a global scale.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "covertly operating" describes actions performed secretly, often to avoid detection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most frequently used in news and academic contexts, indicating a formal register. Related phrases include "secretly functioning" and "clandestinely running", each offering slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intent to conceal activities from specific parties, and consider the level of formality required for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covertly functioning

Replaces 'operating' with a more general synonym, maintaining the adverb 'covertly'.

secretly functioning

Focuses more on the secrecy aspect of the operation.

clandestinely running

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the operation.

surreptitiously working

Highlights the stealthy and under-the-radar aspect of the operation.

undercover operation

Implies an operation conducted in disguise or with a false identity.

stealthily in action

Emphasizes the quiet and unnoticed nature of the operation.

discreetly functioning

Highlights the careful and cautious manner of the operation.

secretly in service

Highlights the hidden agenda behind the operation.

unobtrusively at play

Focuses on the lack of visibility of the operation.

working in the shadows

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the secret nature of the operation.

FAQs

What does "covertly operating" mean?

The phrase "covertly operating" refers to conducting activities in a secret or hidden manner, often to avoid detection or interference.

How can I use "covertly operating" in a sentence?

You might say, "The spy agency was "covertly operating" within the embassy", indicating a hidden activity taking place.

What are some alternatives to "covertly operating"?

You can use alternatives like "secretly functioning", "clandestinely running", or "surreptitiously working" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "covertly operating" formal or informal?

"Covertly operating" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, or professional communications. It's less common in casual conversation.