operation at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operation at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the current task or situation that is being dealt with or addressed. Example: "During the meeting, we focused on the operation at hand and discussed the necessary steps to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He has instead been more or less irrelevant, at best a handy organiser and conveniently noisy distraction from the real operation at hand.

The Guardian - Sport

The operation at hand is that they're going to talk to Aayan and everyone's nervous about it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The next day, in San Francisco, she would be undergoing a seven-hour operation at the hands of Dr. Jordan Deschamps-Braly, a craniofacial surgeon who specializes in a process called facial feminization.

The New Yorker

He also took the lead in forming a national general staff (from 1904) and an imperial general staff (from 1909); for this purpose, Emperor William II allowed him to study German general staff operations at first hand in 1906.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many proponents were motivated by a desire to remove the unjust division between the 'unenlightened poor' forced to undergo dangerous operations at the hands of unprofessional abortionists, and those who had the 'knowledge, influence and financial resources' to obtain a secret but safe surgery performed by a doctor.

Historical Journal

In the cases at hand, the racketeering operation is Salvadorans With Pride, one of a handful of major gangs active on the Island.

The New York Times

At the heart of this mechanism are regulating structures that restrain activity from flowing freely between the different cortical areas involved, releasing it instead in a controlled fashion designed to produce the different mental operations required by the task at hand.

Progress in Brain Research

After reconstructive operations, at least one hand function was attained.

Burns

In the case at hand, the class of all algebras with a constant, a unary operation, and a binary operation, satisfying all the laws satisfied by the integers, is exactly the class of abelian groups.

SEP

Earlier this month, the North's state media reported that "the day is near at hand" when its new reactor will come into operation.

The New York Times

We are very grateful for the efforts she made to come and see the situation at hand," said Peter Crowley, UNICEF's Director of Operations in Southern Sudan.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "operation at hand" when you want to emphasize the specific task or process that is currently the main focus of attention or effort. For greater clarity, ensure the context makes it obvious what "the operation" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "operation at hand" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in settings where simpler language would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operation at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition or the subject of a clause. It refers to a specific task, project, or process that is currently being dealt with. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operation at hand" is a noun phrase used to describe a current task or activity. Ludwig AI states that it is correct and usable in written English, though its frequency is uncommon. It's most often found in news, science, and formal business contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider options like "current task" or "project at hand" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. The phrase is appropriate for formal or neutral settings and should be used sparingly in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the project at hand

Emphasis on a specific project to be handled.

current task

Focuses specifically on the work or duty being performed.

present undertaking

Emphasizes the active and ongoing nature of the project.

issue at stake

Highlights the problem or matter that needs to be resolved.

matter in question

Draws attention to the specific subject being discussed or considered.

business on deck

Implies that something is ready to be addressed.

task in progress

Indicates that the assignment is ongoing.

endeavor underway

Formal way to mention activity being performed

immediate concern

Highlights the urgency of the problem.

prevailing situation

Focus on the current circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "operation at hand" in a sentence?

Use "operation at hand" to refer to the task or situation currently being addressed. For example: "The success of the project depends on how well we manage the "operation at hand"."

What's the difference between "operation at hand" and "task at hand"?

"Operation at hand" often implies a more complex or strategic undertaking, while "task at hand" refers to a more specific, defined piece of work. The choice depends on the scale and nature of what you're describing.

What can I say instead of "operation at hand"?

You can use alternatives like "current task", "present undertaking", or "issue at stake" depending on the context.

Is "operation at hand" formal or informal?

"Operation at hand" leans towards the formal side, making it more suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts rather than casual conversation.