non-operational

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "non-operational" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not functioning or not currently in operation, often in technical or business contexts. Example: "The equipment is currently non-operational due to maintenance issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be a dramatic reduction compared to the current infrastructure of 10,000 operating centrifuges, and another 9,000 installed but non-operational.

The Guardian

The operating margin reflects the profit on activities, ignoring tax and other non-operational expenses.

The Guardian - Business

It is non-operational.

The Guardian - Opinion

Walton was moved on Friday to a non-operational role.

The Guardian

Walton was moved to a non-operational role.

The Guardian

"In 1989, I was a chief inspector in a non-operational role at headquarters.

The Guardian - Sport

The agency said the two agents had been reassigned to non-supervisory, non-operational jobs.

The Guardian

In March, 2005, the Pentagon declared the working-group report a non-operational "historical" document.

The New Yorker

The West Midlands chief constable, Geoffrey Dear, moved named West Midlands SCS officers to "non-operational duties".

The Guardian - Sport

It did not apply to non-operational stockpiles, so each side could comply by simply mothballing warheads rather than destroying them.

The Guardian

The US did not believe the missiles were moved to an alternative launch site and were instead in a non-operational location, one of the officials said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing equipment or systems, use "non-operational" to clearly indicate that they are not currently functioning as intended. This term is particularly useful in technical reports, business communications, and formal documentation.

Common error

Avoid using "non-operational" in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "broken" or "not working" are usually more appropriate and natural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "non-operational" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are not currently in a state of operation or functionality. Ludwig shows that it's used to describe a wide range of subjects, from equipment to systems and facilities, as demonstrated in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "non-operational" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that something is not currently functioning, with primary usage contexts in News & Media and Science. While considered correct, it is more formal and neutral, making it suitable for technical and business communications. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives such as "not working" or "down" might be more appropriate. Ludwig also provides numerous examples that demonstrate the versatile application of this term in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-functional

Directly states the lack of functionality.

out of service

Indicates that something is temporarily or permanently not available for use.

inoperative

Describes something that is not working or functioning.

not functioning

A straightforward way to state that something is not working as intended.

down

A simpler term, often used in technical contexts to indicate a system or service is unavailable.

unserviceable

Implies that something is not in a condition to be used or repaired.

inactive

Suggests a state of not being active or in use, often temporarily.

defunct

Indicates that something is no longer in effect or use, often permanently.

disabled

Implies that something has been intentionally made non-functional.

idle

Describes something not currently in use or operation.

FAQs

How can I use "non-operational" in a sentence?

You can use "non-operational" to describe equipment, systems, or facilities that are not currently functioning. For example: "The device is currently "non-operational" due to a software glitch."

What's the difference between "non-operational" and "out of service"?

"Non-operational" is a more formal term, often used in technical or business contexts. "Out of service" is generally more informal and widely understood.

What can I say instead of "non-operational" to sound less formal?

Alternatives include "not working", "broken", or "down", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "unoperational" instead of "non-operational"?

While "unoperational" exists, ""non-operational"" is the more common and accepted term. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the prevalence of "non-operational" in reputable sources.