operating as a proxy for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operating as a proxy for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where one entity acts on behalf of another or represents another in a specific context. Example: "The organization is operating as a proxy for the government in implementing the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The government, on the other hand, believed that Nkunda was effectively operating as a proxy for Rwanda.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sharpton's tardiness in denouncing police militarization is perhaps partly explainable by the fact that, per his own reckoning, he literally operates as a proxy for the Feds namely the Obama administration.

Vice

The team had revenue of $650 million and operating income (a proxy for pretax profits) of $170 million.

The New York Times

A second accounting-based financial reporting property measure is the correlation between accruals and operating cash flow as a proxy for earnings smoothing.

Business Research

Operative time was used as a proxy for operative efficiency.

BMJ Open

Meanwhile, "diaspora communities" in the west - a polite euphemism for black and ethnic minority groups - will be particularly vulnerable to becoming "reservoirs for resentment" as capitalist globalisation continues to deepen inequalities between "winners" and "losers", and thus to operating as fifth column "proxies" for foreign interests.

The Guardian

This suggests that cell death is not the only mechanism controlling sex differences in the SDN-POA and caution may be warranted in using findings from the subpopulation of cells expressing calbindin as a proxy for processes operating in the SDN-POA as a whole.

Biology of Sex Differences

Therefore we use the ratio between practice rooms (the sum of operating rooms, X-Ray examination rooms, delivery rooms et cetera) to beds as a proxy for the allocation of various capital inputs.

Health Care Management Science

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the validity of MUAC as a proxy for determining overweight and overfatness.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is sometimes used as a proxy for cash flow, but having a positive operating profit or cash flow is very different from having revenue.

The New York Times

While SNAP operates on an experimentally substantiated definition of change, SIFT uses conservation scores of amino acids as a proxy for functional change.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "operating as a proxy for" to clearly indicate that an entity is acting on behalf of another, especially when the relationship isn't immediately obvious. For example, "The NGO is operating as a proxy for the government in this region."

Common error

Avoid using "operating as a proxy for" when an entity directly represents itself. The phrase implies an indirect or substitute action, not a direct one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operating as a proxy for" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that someone or something is acting as a substitute or representative. As seen in the Ludwig examples, this often describes a relationship where direct action isn't possible or preferred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "operating as a proxy for" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that indicates one entity is acting as a substitute or representative for another. As confirmed by Ludwig, this prepositional phrase functions to clarify relationships, often in formal and scientific settings. While prevalent in news, science and business contexts, its use can be tailored to suit diverse writing needs, keeping in mind the subtle difference in meaning that separate it from similar terms. It's vital to avoid using the phrase when direct representation is in place of indirect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting as an agent for

This alternative directly emphasizes the role of acting on behalf of another, specifically highlighting agency.

functioning as a stand-in for

This emphasizes the temporary or substitute nature of the representation.

serving as a representative of

This phrase underscores the formal act of representing or advocating for someone or something.

being a surrogate for

This alternative suggests a more complete and potentially long-term substitution.

working on behalf of

This highlights the action of working to benefit another party.

in the service of

This phrase emphasizes dedication and commitment to a particular cause or entity.

taking the place of

Highlights the aspect of substitution.

representing the interests of

This focuses on advocating for the needs and concerns of a specific group or individual.

standing in lieu of

This alternative is a more formal and less common way of expressing substitution.

fronting for

This suggests a less transparent and potentially deceptive form of representation.

FAQs

What does "operating as a proxy for" mean?

The phrase "operating as a proxy for" means acting on behalf of or representing another entity, often when that entity is unable or unwilling to act directly. It implies a substitute or indirect action.

How can I use "operating as a proxy for" in a sentence?

You can use "operating as a proxy for" to describe situations where one organization or individual is acting as a substitute or representative for another. For example, "The charity is "acting as a proxy for" the government in providing aid."

What are some alternatives to "operating as a proxy for"?

Some alternatives to "operating as a proxy for" include "acting on behalf of", "serving as a representative of", or "functioning as a stand-in for".

Is it appropriate to use "operating as a proxy for" in formal writing?

Yes, "operating as a proxy for" is suitable for formal writing, especially in contexts where you need to clearly define a relationship of representation or substitution.