operating in the field

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operating in the field" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something actively engaged in a specific area of work or activity, often in a practical or real-world context. Example: "The team has been operating in the field for several months, gathering data and conducting interviews with local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It also means that the American military would have to find new ways of operating in the field.

The New York Times

One of CNN's most senior executives today launched a blistering attack on the media's failure to take the security of news journalists operating in the field seriously.

The Guardian

Political considerations governing organisations operating in the field – not least UN agencies – can lead to uncomfortable trade-offs, not least over access.

The Guardian

The model has been tested with major and smaller companies operating in the field of precision manufacturing showing encouraging results.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

He is one of the keenest minds operating in the field of international law, and his views of the outlook for that system are therefore important.

Yale University

LONDON — The soaring economy of China has brought about a radical transformation of the market for Chinese art and is redirecting the policy of the world's major galleries operating in the field.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The fund targets companies operating in the fields of airport services, bulk liquid terminals, gas production & distribution and contracted power & energy services.

Forbes

Bram Brouwer, director of one of the main Dutch ecogenomics centres, but also CEO of a private company operating in the fields of biotechnology and diagnostics, gave a presentation in which he introduced the term 'nature mining'.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Its expressive possibilities are limited only by the individual talents of those who choose to operate in the field.

The New York Times - Arts

It has a research department that has broken with the Washington consensus and programme teams that operate in the field as if we were still in the 1990s.

The Guardian - Business

With a power source and a connection to stream the data to a central server, it operates in the field with minimal human interference.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team or individual's role, use "operating in the field" to emphasize practical, real-world engagement rather than theoretical or remote involvement.

Common error

Avoid using "operating in the field" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and specific terms when detailing research methodologies or theoretical frameworks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operating in the field" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to specify the location or context of an action. As shown by Ludwig AI, it indicates direct involvement or activity within a specific area of work or environment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "operating in the field" is a common phrase that indicates direct, practical engagement in a specific area or environment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatile usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While it's valuable for emphasizing hands-on involvement, it should be used judiciously in formal academic writing, where more precise terms may be preferred. Alternative phrases like "working in the area" or "active in the sector" can offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working in the area

Focuses on the geographical aspect of the work.

active in the sector

Emphasizes involvement within a specific industry or market.

engaged in practice

Highlights practical application and experience.

involved on location

Specifies that the activity takes place at a particular site.

functioning in the setting

Implies adapting to a particular environment or context.

performing in situ

Highlights operations being carried out at the original location.

conducting operations onsite

Focuses on the execution of tasks at a specific place.

undertaking activities locally

Emphasizes the localized nature of the actions.

executing tasks on the ground

Highlights direct involvement and hands-on work.

delivering services firsthand

Focuses on direct interaction and personal involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "operating in the field" in a sentence?

Use "operating in the field" to describe a person or organization actively working or conducting activities in a real-world environment or a specific area of expertise. For example, "The research team is "operating in the field", collecting data on local plant species."

What are some alternatives to "operating in the field"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "working in the area", "active in the sector", or "engaged in practice".

Is there a difference between "operating in the field" and "working in the office"?

"Operating in the field" suggests direct, hands-on involvement in a real-world environment, whereas "working in the office" implies a more administrative or desk-based role. The former emphasizes practical engagement, the latter focuses on structured settings.

When is it appropriate to use "operating in the field" in professional writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the practical or on-site nature of the work being done, particularly when contrasting it with theoretical or remote activities. For example, "Our engineers are "operating in the field" to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues onsite."