he is operating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is operating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is currently engaged in a task or activity, often related to machinery, systems, or processes. Example: "At the moment, he is operating the new software to analyze the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For now, he is operating under his own name.

The New York Times - Style

He is operating in a system overloaded at every level.

The Guardian

But he is operating in a political minefield.

The Guardian

"He is operating independently of the justice department.

The Guardian

Cameron says he is operating under rules drawn up by Labour.

The Guardian

It turns out he is operating on his daughter's teddy bear.

The New York Times

But in fact he is operating in the realm of journalism.

The New York Times

Philippe needs to change, but so does the environment in which he is operating.

Harvard Business Review

The royal commissioner seems acutely aware he is operating in a hyper-partisan political context.

The Guardian - Opinion

So he is operating at a loss, with debts to suppliers mounting.

The New York Times

He is operating with an annual budget of $35 million, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's role or function within a system or process, use "he is operating" to convey their active involvement and control.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid using "he is operating" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "he's working" or "he's on it" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is operating" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that someone is currently performing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. This expression is commonly used to describe someone who is actively managing, controlling, or using something, as shown in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is operating" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe someone actively engaged in a task, particularly involving control or management. Ludwig AI confirms that "he is operating" is correct and frequently used. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with various alternatives like "he is working" or "he is managing" available for different nuances. When writing, it’s best to reserve "he is operating" for situations where you want to emphasize active control or involvement, and consider more informal alternatives in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is working

Replaces "operating" with the more general term "working".

he is running

Suggests he is managing or in charge of something.

he is managing

Emphasizes the act of overseeing or controlling something.

he is handling

Implies he is dealing with or taking care of something.

he is utilizing

Focuses on the use of a tool or resource.

he is employing

Highlights the use of a particular method or technique.

he is executing

Emphasizes the performance or carrying out of a plan.

he is performing

Indicates he is carrying out a specific action or duty.

he is in control

Highlights that he has power and responsibility.

he is active

Suggests he is engaged or involved in something.

FAQs

How can I use "he is operating" in a sentence?

Use "he is operating" to describe someone who is actively controlling or managing a system, machine, or process. For example, "he is operating the machinery" or "he is operating under certain guidelines".

What can I say instead of "he is operating"?

You can use alternatives like "he is working", "he is managing", or "he is running" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "he is operating" or "he operates"?

"He is operating" describes an ongoing action in the present, while "he operates" describes a general or habitual action. For example, "he is operating the machine now," versus "he operates the machine every day".

What's the difference between "he is operating" and "he is running"?

While both can suggest management, "he is operating" often implies direct control or manipulation of something, whereas "he is running" often suggests managing an organization or system.