operating as intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operating as intended" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is working the way it was designed to work. For example: "The new computer system is operating as intended, allowing the business to automate many of their processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The evaluation of the CSI consists of two main components, both including various substudies: ▪ A process evaluation, which examines the extent to which the programme is operating as intended by assessing programme operations and determining how well the target population has been reached (non response and acceptability).

BMC Infectious Diseases

CHPS also offers a maintenance and operations manual for keeping high-performance features operating as intended.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Oak Ridge and a nearby site, Y-12, have also failed to determine whether heating and lighting systems for buildings are operating as  intended, the audit said.

The New York Times

In his book "Deep Survival," adventure writer Lawrence Gonzalez suggests that accidents are the inevitable outcome of complex systems operating as intended.

The New York Times

"Our evaluation showed that for 88percentt of enlistments one or more key internal controls weren't operating as intended," auditors reported.

The Washington Post

"We want to ensure public services meet our commitment to equal treatment, which is why we are reviewing whether the equality duty is operating as intended.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Each structure needs to be virtually identical to ensure that a circuit operates as intended.

MIT Technology Review

Further, an identification of a web-service as a business relevant object is causally more precise in the terms of an operation perspective: A failing database might cause a web-service to not operate as intended and therefore might lead to an unaccomplishment of a business-process.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Weapons could fail to operate as intended.

The Washington Post

Critics say the system has never truly operated as intended.

The New York Times

Thoroughly planned and executed commissioning has become critical to allow the facility to operate as intended.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the outcome of a process or system, ensure that you clearly define the "intended" outcome. For example, instead of saying "the project is operating as intended", specify what the intended outcome was, such as "the project is operating as intended, delivering a 20% increase in efficiency".

Common error

A common mistake is using "operating as intended" without clearly defining what the intended operation or goal actually is. Always clarify the expected functionality or result to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The system is operating as intended," should be rephrased as, "The system is operating as intended, processing 100 transactions per second without errors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operating as intended" serves as a descriptive phrase, typically functioning as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it describes the state of a system, process, or device.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operating as intended" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is functioning according to its design or plan. Ludwig examples demonstrate that it's used across various domains, including science, news, and business. While the phrase is generally clear, it's best practice to explicitly define what the "intended" function is to avoid ambiguity. As verified, this phrase is broadly applicable and easily understood in various contexts. The use of alternatives such as "functioning correctly" or "performing as expected" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functioning correctly

Emphasizes the proper action or function of something.

working properly

Highlights the suitable and satisfactory state of operation.

performing as expected

Focuses on the fulfillment of anticipated performance levels.

as designed

Focuses on the adherence to original design parameters and intentions.

running smoothly

Indicates efficient and uninterrupted operation without issues.

in good working order

Suggests that something is in a suitable state for its intended function.

as programmed

Highlights adherence to the pre-set programming or operational instructions.

up to standard

Indicates that something meets the required level of quality or performance.

meeting specifications

Highlights that something complies with pre-defined technical requirements.

according to plan

Emphasizes that something is unfolding as previously outlined or designed.

FAQs

How can I use "operating as intended" in a sentence?

You can use "operating as intended" to describe a system, process, or device that is functioning in the way it was designed or expected to. For example, "The software update is "operating as intended", resolving all previously reported bugs".

What are some alternatives to "operating as intended"?

Some alternatives include "functioning correctly", "working properly", and "performing as expected". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "operating as intended" or "operating as designed"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "operating as intended" focuses on the purpose or goal, while "operating as designed" emphasizes the adherence to the original design specifications. Use whichever phrase is more relevant to the specific situation. "Operating as designed" might be more appropriate when discussing engineering, while "operating as intended" may be more appropriate in discussing strategic goals.

What does it mean when something is "not operating as intended"?

When something is "not operating as intended", it means that it is not functioning in the way it was designed, expected, or supposed to. This could be due to a defect, malfunction, improper use, or other issue preventing it from fulfilling its intended purpose.