operating at full capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

"operating at full capacity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a business, system, or person that is functioning in the most effective way. For example, "Despite the difficult economic conditions, the factory is still operating at full capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That now seems to have been achieved, and all four of its Peruvian operations are now operating at full capacity, with no impact on its 2009 production targets.

The Guardian - Business

The main European and American cruise operators take many of their ships to South America, operating at full capacity in the busy summer period, between December and March.

BBC

We are not operating at full capacity".

The Guardian

"The airport is currently operating at full capacity.

The Guardian

"Many Chinese steel producers are now operating at full capacity.

The New York Times

"Speed Ferries has gone under and Eurotunnel isn't operating at full capacity".

The Guardian - Money

The agency said that it was now operating at full capacity, serving 141,000 people.

The New York Times

"The substation is back online but not yet operating at full capacity.

The Guardian

But consider what will happen once the economy is again operating at full capacity.

The New York Times

This means that many prisons are not operating at full capacity.

The Economist

For an economy operating at full capacity, the fiscal multiplier should be zero.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system's capabilities, use "operating at full capacity" to convey that it's functioning at its maximum potential. For example: "The hospital is now operating at full capacity to meet the increased demand."

Common error

Avoid using "operating at full capacity" when referring to a situation that is simply busy or hectic, but not truly maximizing potential output. For example, a store might be crowded, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's operating at full capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operating at full capacity" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, often used to modify nouns (e.g., 'the factory is operating at full capacity'). According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and describes entities functioning effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operating at full capacity" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a state where a system, organization, or entity is functioning at its maximum potential. According to Ludwig, it's widely employed in various contexts, notably in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. The phrase conveys efficiency and optimal resource utilization. While alternatives like "working at peak performance" or "running at full steam" exist, "operating at full capacity" provides a clear and neutral way to communicate that something is performing at its best. Remember to reserve its use for situations that truly reflect maximum potential rather than just high activity levels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functioning at maximum efficiency

This alternative emphasizes the efficiency aspect of operating at full capacity.

working at peak performance

This alternative focuses on the performance aspect and implies a high level of output.

running at full steam

This alternative is more idiomatic and suggests energetic and continuous operation.

performing at its best

This alternative highlights the optimal level of performance.

fully operational

This alternative is a more concise way of saying that something is ready and able to function completely.

at maximum output

This alternative emphasizes the quantity of production when operating at full capacity.

utilizing all available resources

This alternative focuses on resource utilization to achieve full capacity.

completely utilized

This alternative emphasizes the complete utilization of available capacity.

in full swing

This alternative suggests that an activity or process is at its most active and productive stage.

flat out

This is an informal way of saying that something is working as hard as possible.

FAQs

How can I use "operating at full capacity" in a sentence?

You can use "operating at full capacity" to describe a system, business, or organization that is functioning at its maximum potential. For example: "The factory is operating at full capacity to meet the demands of the holiday season."

What does it mean for an economy to be "operating at full capacity"?

When an economy is "operating at full capacity", it means that all available resources are being used efficiently, and there is minimal unemployment. It's a state of optimal economic performance, as mentioned in the "functioning at maximum efficiency".

What are some alternatives to saying "operating at full capacity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "working at peak performance", "running at full steam", or "fully operational".

How does "operating at full capacity" differ from just being busy?

"Operating at full capacity" implies that all resources are being utilized to their maximum potential, whereas simply being busy might just mean a high volume of activity without necessarily maximizing output. It implies using "utilizing all available resources" to meet the demands.