operated at a deficit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operated at a deficit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts to describe a situation where expenses exceed revenues, resulting in a loss. Example: "The company operated at a deficit for the last quarter, prompting management to reevaluate its budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The club emerged from bankruptcy proceedings two years ago but has operated at a deficit.

The New York Times - Sports

The department, which operated at a deficit, welcomed doctors with high-volume practices.

The New York Times

The agency itself has operated at a deficit almost consistently from the time it was created in 1974.

The New York Times

No Easy Answers Since the end of World War II, the federal budget has operated at a deficit in 52 of 64 fiscal years.

The New York Times

Though Restaurant Associates met its obligations — including paying the city a percentage of its revenues to cover a $6 million renovation of the building before the reopening in 2000 — Whitby continuously operated at a deficit, Mr. Yandrasevich said.

The New York Times

The museum has operated at a deficit in six of the last eight years, and its endowment has shrunk to about $6 million from $42.7 million in 1999, according to people who have been briefed on the finances.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 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

The club emerged from bankruptcy proceedings two years ago but operates at a deficit.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a financial situation, use "operated at a deficit" to clearly indicate that expenses exceeded income. Ensure the subject of the phrase is clearly defined, such as "the company", "the organization", or "the department".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "deficit" with "debt". "Deficit" refers to a shortfall in revenue for a specific period, while "debt" is the accumulation of deficits over time. You can "operate at a deficit" annually, which contributes to the overall debt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operated at a deficit" functions as a verb phrase, describing the financial state or performance of an entity. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it typically modifies a noun (e.g., "the company", "the museum") to indicate its financial status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "operated at a deficit" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an entity's financial state when expenses exceed revenues. As demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in news, business, and academic contexts, indicating its widespread use in formal communication. While alternatives exist, this phrase provides a clear and concise way to communicate financial losses. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, making it a reliable choice for describing financial situations accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ran at a loss

Implies a continuous state of financial loss over a period.

functioned at a loss

Emphasizes the continuation of operations despite the financial disadvantage.

incurred financial losses

Focuses on the action of accumulating losses.

sustained a financial shortfall

Highlights the lack of sufficient funds to cover expenses.

experienced a budget deficit

Specifically refers to a shortfall in the budget.

was financially unsustainable

Indicates an inability to continue operations under the current financial conditions.

failed to break even

Emphasizes the inability to cover costs with revenue.

posted negative earnings

Highlights the result of financial operations being a loss.

was in the red

An idiomatic expression indicating debt or financial loss.

showed a net loss

Focuses on the bottom-line result of a company's financial performance.

FAQs

How can I use "operated at a deficit" in a sentence?

You can use "operated at a deficit" to describe a business, organization, or government that spent more money than it earned over a specific period. For example: "The museum "operated at a deficit" for six of the last eight years".

What's the difference between "operated at a deficit" and "operated at a loss"?

"Operated at a deficit" and "operated at a loss" are very similar. "Operated at a "deficit"" often refers to a budget or financial plan, while "operated at a "loss"" often refers to overall profitability.

What are some alternative phrases for "operated at a deficit"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "ran at a loss", "functioned at a loss", or "incurred financial losses", which convey similar meanings.

Is it grammatically correct to say "operated at a deficit"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is commonly used to describe an entity whose expenses exceed its revenues for a given period. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.