not in operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not in operation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, such as a machine or service, is currently not functioning or active. Example: "The train service is not in operation due to maintenance work on the tracks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The emissions unit was not "in operation" before August 7, 1962 and is therefore subject to BART. 1.

Cornell University

This definition is also consistent with the definition at 40 CFR 63.840. 1. Emissions units listed under Step 1 are BART-eligible only if they were "in existence" on August 7, 1977 but were not "in operation" before August 7, 1962.

Cornell University

Because three monitoring sites in Harris County were not in operation for all three years (one site was not operative in 2000, one site was not operative in 1998, and one site was not operative in 1998 or 1999), there were a total of 47 data points used for the kriging analysis.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

It has 9,400 operating centrifuges and roughly 10,000 others that are not in operation.

Los Angeles Times

Iran currently has 9,400 operating centrifuges and another 10,000 that are installed but not in operation.

Los Angeles Times

A tsunami warning system was not in operation at the time of the shock, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Hawaii) and the Japan Meteorological Agency posted a tsunami watch, based on the occurrence of a M7.2 earthquake.

Wikipedia

The water plant is currently not in operation.

The Guardian

The push-button system is still not in operation.

The New Yorker

But the Al Udeid air combat center is not in operation.

The New York Times

The question is why such a system is not in operation already.

The New York Times

"There has been a redeveloping of businesses that were not in operation for many years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a temporary state, specify the reason why something is "not in operation". This adds clarity and provides context to the situation.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions when using "not in operation". Instead of saying, "The machine was not in operation", consider a more active voice construction such as, "The machine is currently offline for maintenance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in operation" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating that a system, device, or entity is currently inactive or not functioning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

21%

Science

39%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not in operation" is a common and correct way to describe something that is currently inactive or not functioning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse audiences, and it serves primarily to inform or explain the current state of a system or device. Consider alternatives like "out of service" or "not functioning" for similar meanings, and always aim for clarity by providing context when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of service

This phrase is a common and direct way to indicate that something is temporarily unavailable or not functioning.

not functioning

This alternative focuses specifically on the lack of functionality, emphasizing that something is unable to perform its intended purpose.

non-operational

This is a more formal term that clearly states the item is not capable of being used or working.

inactive

This term describes a state of being not active, suggesting a pause in operation rather than a complete breakdown.

shut down

This indicates a deliberate cessation of activity, often for maintenance or safety reasons.

down

This is a shorter, more informal way to say something is not working or available.

not running

This phrase is frequently used for devices or systems that are supposed to be actively processing or moving.

inoperative

This term is a more technical way of saying something is not working, often used in formal or technical contexts.

out of commission

Suggests that something is temporarily removed from service, often for repairs or upgrades.

offline

Commonly used in technology contexts, this indicates that a system or device is disconnected and not currently processing data.

FAQs

How can I use "not in operation" in a sentence?

You can use "not in operation" to describe something that is currently inactive or not functioning. For example, "The factory is "not in operation" during the holidays".

What can I say instead of "not in operation"?

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

Is it correct to say "not in operation"?

Yes, it is correct to say "not in operation". It is a common and understandable way to express that something is currently inactive.

What's the difference between "not in operation" and "out of order"?

"Not in operation" typically refers to a planned or expected state of inactivity, while "out of order" usually implies a malfunction or unexpected issue preventing operation.