is not operational

USAGE SUMMARY

"is not operational" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something does not work as expected. For example, "The train station is not operational due to a power outage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

We are operating, but it is not "operational" yet.

Huffington Post

Innovation is not operational excellence.

Harvard Business Review

So it is disappointing to learn that it is not operational.

The New York Times - Arts

China currently has a single XIA class SSBN, which is not operational.

Yale University

It is not operational yet and the west has known about it for some time, the report said.

The Guardian

The Ministry of Defence has refused to reveal how many personnel are involved, saying only it is a small team and insisting its role is not operational.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Today, the mine's tunnels, including a main tunnel over 3,000 feet long, remain on the hillside yet the mine itself still isn't operational.

Vice

Today, the mine's tunnels, including a main shaft over 3,000 feet long, remain on the hillside yet the mine itself still isn't operational.

Vice

"They're not operational".

The New York Times

It was not operational failure.

Independent

It's not operational effectiveness, for one.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical systems, use "is not operational" to clearly communicate that the system cannot perform its intended functions.

Common error

Avoid using "is not operational" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "isn't working" or "is out of service" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not operational" functions as a descriptive predicate, indicating that a subject is currently unable to perform its intended function. Ludwig provides numerous examples across different domains confirming this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not operational" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is not functioning. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's frequently found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal situations. For more casual conversations, alternatives such as "is not working" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "is not operational" when clearly communicating a non-functional status, particularly in technical or business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is out of service

Focuses on the temporary unavailability of a service or system.

is not functioning

Highlights the lack of proper function, emphasizing a broken state.

is not working

A more general term indicating something is broken or not performing as intended.

is down

Informal term meaning a system or service is temporarily unavailable.

is inoperative

A formal term indicating a piece of equipment or machinery is not able to be used.

is disabled

Implies that something has been intentionally deactivated or rendered unusable.

is non-functional

Emphasizes that the item lacks the capacity to perform its intended function.

is broken

A straightforward term indicating something is damaged and not working.

is inactive

Describes a state of dormancy or non-use.

is shut down

Focuses on a deliberate action to stop something from working.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is not operational"?

It means that something isn't functioning or ready for use. It could be due to technical problems, maintenance, or other issues rendering it unable to perform its intended function.

What can I say instead of "is not operational"?

You can use alternatives like "is out of service", "is not functioning", or "is not working" depending on the context.

Is "is not operational" formal or informal?

"Is not operational" tends to be more formal and is often used in technical, business, or official contexts. For informal situations, simpler phrases may be preferable.

How to use "is not operational" in a sentence?

You can use "is not operational" to describe equipment, systems, or facilities that are currently unable to perform their intended function. For example, "The factory line is not operational due to a power outage."