operated about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operated about" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you are describing the general area or scope in which something operates, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The machinery operated about the perimeter of the site, ensuring all areas were covered."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

In each test, 1.0 g catalyst was loaded and the reactor operated about 12 h to ensure steady-state operations were attained.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Before the crisis erupted, Aeroflot Group operated about 500 flights per month from the country.

The Economist

According to CBO estimates, in fiscal 2010 the economy operated about 7 percent below potential.

The New York Times

Their Japanese equivalents were the Hiryu and Soryu, which operated about 50 aircraft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

UTair Ukraine, a subsidiary of Russia's UTair, operated about 800 together with its parent company.

The Economist

J. Jill operated about 150 retail stores in 34 states at the end of 2004.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Two days later, CitySights NY, which operates about half as many buses, followed suit.

The New York Times

While Sainsbury's and Tesco own hundreds of convenience stores, Morrisons operates about 120.

The Guardian - Business

The university operates about as differently from the command and control hierarchical military as possible.

Huffington Post

(It currently operates about 7,000 stores nationally).

The New York Times

It operates about 840 stores under its own name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "operated about", ensure the context clearly indicates an approximation or estimation. For instance, "The company operated about 50 stores" is more precise than saying "The company operated in many locations."

Common error

Avoid using "operated about" when precise figures are available. Using approximate figures when exact data exists weakens the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operated about" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action performed within an approximate scope. It modifies a verb expressing an activity or process. This is seen in Ludwig, as the provided examples typically describe quantitative activity or estimations of processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "operated about" is a phrase used to indicate an approximate number or range of activity, found commonly in news, scientific and encyclopedic contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is considered acceptable. While alternatives like ""operated approximately"" may be preferred in formal settings, "operated about" provides a useful way to convey estimations. The phrase is frequently used in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating widespread, though not always precise, application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ran approximately

Replaces 'operated' with 'ran' and 'about' with 'approximately', maintaining the sense of estimation.

managed roughly

Substitutes 'operated' with 'managed' and 'about' with 'roughly', implying control and approximation.

controlled approximately

Focuses on the aspect of controlling with an element of estimation.

functioned around

Emphasizes the operational aspect while suggesting movement or activity in a surrounding area.

maintained about

Replaces 'operated' with 'maintained', focusing on upkeep or sustainment with approximation.

operated in the region of

Focuses on the geographical scope of the operation.

worked in the vicinity of

Indicates activity happening near or close to a specific place or area.

was active around

Shifts the focus to activity, suggesting that something was happening in a general area.

dealt with nearly

Implies handling or processing something with a degree of approximation.

presided over roughly

Suggests overseeing something with a degree of imprecision.

FAQs

How can I use "operated about" in a sentence?

You can use "operated about" to indicate an approximate number or range of operations. For example, "The airline "operated approximately" 500 flights per month" or "The factory "functioned around" the clock."

What are some alternatives to "operated about"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""operated approximately"", "ran roughly", or "managed nearly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "operated about" versus "operated exactly"?

"Operated about" is appropriate when you have an estimated number, while "operated exactly" should be used when you have precise data. For example, "The machine "functioned around" 10 hours a day" versus "The machine operated exactly 10 hours a day".

Is "operated about" considered formal or informal language?

"Operated about" is generally considered neutral. However, in formal contexts, using more precise language or alternatives like ""operated approximately"" might be preferred.