operate at a deficit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operate at a deficit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, economics, or organizational performance, indicating that expenses exceed income or resources. Example: "The company has been forced to operate at a deficit for the past two quarters, leading to concerns about its long-term viability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

However, the corporation continued to operate at a deficit each year, and its federal subsidies consistently exceeded a billion dollars beginning in 2002.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike the Federal Government, which can and does operate at a deficit, all states but one -- Vermont -- are legally bound to have balanced budgets.

The New York Times

The soon-to-be completed $800 million Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is already struggling, with initial bookings falling far behind projections, and it is now expected to operate at a deficit for years.

The New York Times

Almost all transit systems operate at a deficit, requiring fare revenue, advertising and subsidies to cover costs.

Wikipedia

With revenue expected to be only $275 million, the county may have to operate at a deficit, Popejoy has said.

Los Angeles Times

All states except Vermont are required to end their fiscal years with balanced budgets, which means that, unlike the federal government they cannot operate at a deficit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Forest Service's program in the Tongass already operates at a deficit of about $30 million a year, meaning that the federal government pays that much more to build roads and maintain the forest than it takes in from timber companies, which grind most of the trees to a pulp that is sold for export.

The New York Times

NewYork-Presbyterian would absorb the cost of the hospital's maternity and neonatal intensive care units, which have been expanding because of demand, but have been operating at a deficit of more than $1 million a year, the proposal said.

The New York Times

The federal guarantor is already operating at a deficit.

The New York Times

Lately, she said, it had been operating at a deficit.

The New York Times

But the government is operating at a deficit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where expenses exceed income, use "operate at a deficit" to clearly communicate the financial imbalance. This phrase is suitable for formal reports and news articles.

Common error

Avoid vague language when using the phrase "operate at a deficit". Always specify the period or amount involved to provide context and demonstrate the extent of the financial imbalance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operate at a deficit" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a financial state. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a condition where expenses exceed income. The phrase typically modifies a noun or pronoun representing an entity or organization.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operate at a deficit" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where an entity's expenses exceed its income. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and appropriate in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts, and is considered to have a neutral to professional register. While not extremely common, understanding and correctly using this phrase is valuable for discussing financial challenges and imbalances in a clear, formal manner. Alternative phrases like "run a loss" or "incur a deficit" can be used for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run a loss

This alternative directly states that the entity is experiencing financial losses.

incur a deficit

This phrase highlights the act of accumulating a financial shortfall.

be in the red

This is an idiomatic expression indicating a state of debt or financial loss.

have a shortfall

This suggests that there is a gap between income and expenses.

experience a deficit

This focuses on the entity going through a period of financial loss.

function with a negative balance

This highlights the financial status of an entity that has negative balance.

lose money

This directly indicates the state of economic loss.

be unprofitable

This term describes a business that is not generating profit.

have negative cash flow

This phrase focuses on the movement of money in and out of the entity.

struggle financially

This alternative describes difficulty of entity in managing finances.

FAQs

What does it mean to "operate at a deficit"?

To "operate at a deficit" means that an entity's expenses exceed its revenues, resulting in a financial loss. This term is often used in business, government, and organizational contexts.

When is it appropriate to say something is "operating at a deficit"?

It's appropriate to say something is "operating at a deficit" when you want to indicate that its financial outgoings are greater than its incomings over a certain period. This is a formal phrase suitable for business reports, news articles, and academic papers.

What are some alternatives to "operate at a deficit"?

You can use alternatives like "run a loss", "incur a deficit", or "be in the red" depending on the context. These phrases convey the same idea of expenses exceeding income.

How do you correct "operating at a deficit"?

If something is "operating at a deficit", corrective actions could include reducing expenses, increasing revenue, or seeking external funding to balance the budget. The specific measures depend on the entity's situation and goals.